Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater tells Holyrood she had no other option but to delay the start of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme
Under the proposal a surcharge would be added to the price of a single-use container which would then be refunded when recycled
The minister announced a delay until at least October 2025, going on to accuse Westminster of sabotaging the proposal
The date change came about because the Scottish and UK governments had been unable to agree the details of the scheme
Ministers at Westminster said glass had to be excluded but Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf said that without glass the whole scheme was in "grave danger"
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack welcomed the delay, adding that he would continue to work with Scotland's government, and the other devolved nations, to establish a UK-wide scheme
Image source, Getty ImagesLorna Slater reminds the chamber of the background on the DRS.
The minister stresses the case is strongest when the items involved are all-inclusive, specifically including glass.
Lorna Slater gets to her feet.
The circular economy minister is about to officially reveal the Scottish government's decision on the future of its DRS.
For all the background infortmation on this story click on the links below:
The deposit return scheme in Scotland is to be delayed until October 2025 at the earliest, BBC Scotland understands.
In just over 10 minutes we're expecting Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater to begin her statement on the controversial Deposit Return Scheme.
Will the Scottish government shelve the scheme or carry on without glass? We'll find out shortly.
If you want to watch the statement live from Holyrood, just click on the play icon at the top of the page.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe DRS would see customers given money back by returning empty bottl
UK ministers rejected Humza Yousaf's request for them to rethink their decision to exclude glass from Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme.
The first minister wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warning that the scheme would be in "grave danger" without glass included.
The UK government replied that it had given the Scottish government a "practical solution to proceed" with cans and plastic bottles only.
We will learn the Scottish government's decision on whether or not to proceed at 2.50pm.
Last week, the UK government approved a partial exemption to the Internal Market Act for the deposit scheme, but stipulated glass could not be part of it.
The firm set up to run deposit return, Circularity Scotland, said the scheme is still viable without glass.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Scottish government wants to include glass bottles in their plans
We'll find out shortly if ths Scottish government has decided to scrap its deposit return DRS, after Westminster refused to give the green light for glass to be included.
The DRS will see a surcharge added to the price of single-use products such as glass, which will be refunded when they are recycled.
However, the UK government said this would differ too much from their scheme which is set to be rolled out in 2025.
The Scottish government's Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has called this an attempt to sabotage the plans, adding the scheme had been "shot down" by Westminster.
In a statement to parliament she said that not including glass in plans made "no sense".
The scheme had originally been due to launch in Scotland in July last year but has twice been delayed amid concern about its implementation from many businesses which would be affected.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the latest twist in the deposit return scheme saga.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater is due to update parliament on the Scottish government's decision whether or not to continue DRS without glass or shelve the plan.
Join us for reports and analysis of her statement which is due to start at 2.50pm.
You can watch the statement with us by clicking on the play icon at the top of the page.