New research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) estimates that the average annual costs incurred by Scottish adults in areas commonly impacted by parcel delivery surcharges is a staggering £44.8m.
The report commissioned by Richard Lochhead MSP (pictured), who has campaigned for several years to end rip-off parcel delivery surcharges, highlights the significant impact of these charges on Scottish consumers during the pandemic.
For many years these charges have created a postcode lottery, with people living in rural Scotland left out of pocket due to unfair surcharges.
Mr Lochhead’s campaign to end rip off delivery surcharges has received cross-party support in Holyrood but successive Tory Ministers have refused to review the legislation to end these surcharges.
Commenting, SNP MSP for Moray Mr Lochhead said:
“It is an utter disgrace that Scottish households and businesses are forced to fork out an eye-watering £44.8m extra on surcharges applied by some couriers and retailers simply because of where they live
“This new research not only shines a light on the disproportionate impact of these surcharges on consumers across many parts of Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands region, but also highlights the impact of the pandemic on consumers and the rise of online shopping due to restrictions.
“Scottish consumers in rural areas should not have to live with these often-absurd surcharges but due to UK Government inaction this postcode penalty is being paid by thousands of households and business in Scotland.
“In Moray, some delivery lorries even drive past homes that have to pay big surcharges to get to homes that benefit from free delivery.
“It’s a farce that is ripping off customers.
“This scandal is growing with each year that passes and online trading is just going to get bigger and bigger.
“Consumers and businesses in Scotland need UK Ministers to stop sitting on their hands.
“Tory Ministers pay lip service on this issue, but we know that if this was a problem in their own backyards there’s no doubt tough action would have been introduced well before now.
“Consumers in Scotland have had enough – this UK Government must finally act to end these unfair surcharges once and for all.”
