Business Minister renews calls for fairer parcel prices

As the postal deadlines for Christmas approach, Business Minister Fergus Ewing has reiterated his call for fairer parcel prices throughout the Highlands and Islands area of Scotland.

Customers and retailers in Orkney will be familiar with the high delivery costs often payed in the area.

Residents may have also experienced problems, such as surcharges, late deliveries and even refused deliveries, when ordering goods online.

The Scottish Government and Citizens Advice Scotland are working alongside online retailers, and enforcement bodies for fairer parcel delivery practices.

Citizens Advice Scotland are undertaking a second review of the practices of online retailers who deliver top the area.

The Scottish Government also published a Statement of Principles for Parcel Deliveries, which sets out guidelines for ensuring people in rural areas are not left paying higher fees. These were developed by the Parcel Delivery Working Group last year.

Mr Ewing said: “At this time of year shoppers are ordering online and sending presents in the post. Unfortunately we’re still finding that many customers in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands are faced with disproportionate costs when it comes to the delivery of their online purchases.

“Retailers should take on board our Statement of Principles and in turn customers will receive a better service. I welcome the recent announcement that the Statement has now been adopted across the UK.”