Scotland could possibly be allowed to pilot a UK-wide deposit return scheme, Sky News understands.

The Scottish authorities is searching for an exemption from inside market guidelines and is at the moment awaiting a choice from UK ministers amid plans to launch a scheme north of the border subsequent March.

Sky News understands {that a} letter is predicted to be despatched to First Minister Humza Yousaf on Friday afternoon that may problem a conditional settlement to allow Scotland to pilot a UK-wide scheme.

The UK authorities is predicted to require glass to be excluded from the scheme, which is a key a part of the Scottish proposals.

Other situations are prone to embody standardising the deposit cost, bar codes and labelling throughout the UK.

The authorities can also be anticipated to insist on a membership system so that companies that be part of wherever within the UK are routinely signed up throughout the nation.

The Scottish authorities has been contacted for remark.

The controversial scheme was as a result of begin in August however was pushed again to March 2024 after Mr Yousaf was put in as first minister.

The scheme will see customers north of the border pay an additional 20p when buying drinks in a can or a bottle, with this accretion then returned when the empty container is introduced again for recycling.

Industry figures have argued it would impose doubtlessly deadly prices on their companies and create a commerce barrier between Scotland and the remainder of the UK. But environmental campaigners say it would reduce carbon emissions and scale back litter.

The Scottish authorities is searching for an exemption from the UK authorities for the scheme in Scotland underneath the Internal Market Act - which regulates commerce within the completely different components of the UK following Brexit.

The exemption is required because the scheme in Scotland is because of start forward of comparable initiatives in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Lorna Slater, the minister for inexperienced abilities, round financial system and biodiversity, has warned if no exemption is secured by the top of May, the Scottish authorities will likely be compelled to make a "proactive decision" as as to if its scheme is "viable".

Ms Slater, Scottish Greens MSP for Lothian, was quizzed on the scheme on the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.

Although admitting the trade has "invested hundreds of millions of pounds" in direction of the scheme, she dodged questions over who can be responsible for compensation if it fails to come back to fruition.

Instead, she advised ministers that she was trying ahead to a constructive determination from the UK authorities and was "all systems go" to hold on with the launch.

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Rishi Sunak has referred to as on the Scottish authorities to "reconsider" the plans to assist with the price of residing disaster.

Asked concerning the scheme throughout Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, he stated it might "reduce choice and increase prices for consumers".

Speaking throughout a go to to Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire on Friday, Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer stated he desires the scheme to succeed however criticised the 2 governments.

He stated: "We've got two governments that are more inclined to find a division point between them than to actually just get together and make this scheme work."

Content Source: information.sky.com