Stone tackles high postal delivery charges in Caithness and other Highland areas
Far north MP, Jamie Stone, has called for the government to tackle the high cost of delivery charges and surcharges in the north Highlands and other rural communities.
Delivery charges for those living in the Highlands are 20 per cent higher on average compared to south western Scotland, and 30 per cent higher than other parts of the United Kingdom.
Some retailers advertise free UK mainland delivery but have hidden surcharges for more remote areas, such as the Highlands and Islands.
Mr Stone’s Liberal Democrat colleague and MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden, led a debate on government support for rural communities – in which she highlighted issues such as poor access to public transport and inconsistent communications.
During this debate, Mr Stone called for the government to address the topic of costly delivery charges that significantly affect those living in remote areas, such as his constituency of Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross.
Mr Stone has a history of raising the issue of unjust delivery charges to the Highlands, having led a debate on the topic in the previous Parliament.
In response, the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, reassured the House that he recognised the specific challenges that rural communities face and pledged to announce detailed ways of tackling these issues in due course.
Mr Stone said: “The recent debate on Government support for rural communities reflects the numerous and unique issues that those living in our countryside encounter.
“I am extremely disappointed that the problem of disproportionately high delivery charges still plagues my constituents in the Highlands. It highlights the continual failures of successive governments to understand the distinctive issues that those living in rural and remote communities face.
“Imposing an additional tax on someone solely because of their postcode is completely unjust. That’s why I’ve encouraged the government to take a look at this important issue.
“The minister has reassured me that he understands these challenges. I will be holding the government to account for this. Let’s see if they put their money where their mouth is.
“They need to level the playing field. I’ve said this time and time again, people should not be disadvantaged simply because of where they live.”
