Three trade bodies that backed the company set up to run Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) have withdrawn their support saying they have lost confidence in the venture.

Not-for-profit organisation Circularity Scotland was set up by the drinks industry to help businesses handle the financial and logistical aspects of the DRS and to ensure they complied with the scheme.

It confirmed yesterday that it is facing an uncertain future after wrangling between the UK and Scottish governments meant it was put on hold until 2025 at the earliest.

The British Soft Drinks Association, British Beer and Pub Association and British Retail Consortium have today confirmed that they no longer have confidence in the organisation and will not provide it with any further funding.

“Our members have collectively invested significant time and tens of millions of pounds in good faith to help establish a scheme administrator in Scotland to meet a deadline originally set by the Scottish Government,” they said in a joint statement.

“Sadly, a high degree of political uncertainty has now disrupted plans and timings, putting the future of Circularity Scotland at risk.

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