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Deposit Return Schemes: Rural Areas

Asked by John MilneLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 5 March 2026UIN 116667

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Deposit Return Scheme on small retailers in rural areas.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Defra published the Final Impact Assessment on DRS, including its assessment of impact on retailers, for England and Northern Ireland in 2024. This can be found at: The Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024.

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