A UK Minister has pledged the government will work with Moray MP Douglas Ross to ensure "consumers voices are heard" on the issue of unfair delivery charges.
Mr Ross secured a Westminster Hall debate today to discuss "rip-off" surcharges levied against customers across Moray, the Highlands and parts of Aberdeenshire.
The Scottish Conservative MP said in his speech that retailers and courier companies had a duty to find solutions to the current situation. Mr Ross cited figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, which found that consumers in Moray paid £3million in surcharges this year alone.
Research by Citizens Advice Scotland for the debate also found that consumers in affected areas paid on average 30-50% more for delivery of parcels than those elsewhere in Britain.
Responding for the government, Paul Scully MP, minister for small business, consumers and labour markets, said businesses had to respond to the views of customers. He said a recent OFCOM report found that some operators varied their prices for different parts of the country, but others did not.
Mr Scully added: “I am more than happy to continue working with my honorable friend the member for Moray so that we can help convene, shape and push the conversation. We can make sure that consumers voices are heard.”
Speaking afterwards, Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
"I am pleased that the Minister has responded positively to the issues I have raised today but we need to see more done to tackle this issue.
"I have been campaigning on this for several years now, and while some progress has been made, people in Moray and across the north of Scotland are still being hit with rip-off charges.
"It simply has to stop. I believe it is incumbent upon retailers and courier companies alike to take action to ensure that people are given a fair deal.
"There is much more they can do, however, and I think they should be working together to find solutions.
"I am pleased that the Minister has said the government will work with me to ensure consumer voices are heard.
"I will continue to fight this and keep the issue on the government's radar and I hope we can make further progress in rooting out bad practice and getting a better deal for consumers."