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NORTH MSP Gail Ross has condemned the “disgraceful” continuation of unfair delivery surcharges affecting communities north of the central belt, with those in the Highlands and Islands particularly badly hit.
She highlighted statistics showing that people in Scotland are facing excess delivery charges of more than £40 million a year. This figure does not include the amounts that have been quoted and not paid, or companies that refuse to deliver to certain postcodes.
Mrs Ross, the SNP MSP for Caithness. Sutherland and Ross, led a debate in the Scottish Parliament in December in which she recounted several cases from constituents who had contacted her with first-hand accounts of firms charging “extortionate amounts” or refusing delivery altogether, often after the transaction had been completed.
She argues that her constituents are facing “this discrimination” every day.
“Given the rise we are seeing in internet shopping, parcel deliveries are becoming more and more frequent,” she said. “It’s simply not fair that there is a universal service obligation for sending parcels with the Royal Mail which is a ‘six days a week, one price for anywhere’ service but private delivery companies can charge whatever they like.
“To be clear – not all delivery companies charge these prices, but the statistics speak for themselves.
“The power over postal services remains reserved to Westminster but it has so far refused to regulated the private delivery sector and banish unfair delivery surcharges for good. I have written to the minister responsible for postal services in Westminster, Kelly Tolhurst MP, and I, along with other MSPs and the Scottish Government, will continue to do whatever we can within the limited powers we have.
“There are clear rules set down by trading standards that say delivery charges should be set out in a transparent way from the beginning of the transaction. The Scottish Government is working closely with trading standards and local authorities, including Highland Council, to minimise these charges and make sure companies stick to the rules.
“Citizens Advice Scotland has also done a lot of good work and its website has lots of consumer advice for people who are unsure what their rights are. There is also a new website – consumeradvice.scot – where people can find advice and report companies that are violating these rules.”
She added: “I would urge people to report any delivery charges they come up against that seem disproportionate or that only appear after the transaction has taken place. We should not have to put up with this any more and it’s time to end this discrimination faced every day by my constituents.”
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