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£50M Lawsuit Against Scottish Government Dismissed Over Deposit Scheme

1/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A court has dismissed a £50m lawsuit against the Scottish government over its failed deposit return scheme.
Waste firm Biffa claimed a letter from former minister Lorna Slater assured the scheme's viability.
Judge Lord Sandison ruled Biffa's interpretation was unrealistic and that the letter did not guarantee success.
The UK government's refusal to exempt the DRS under the Internal Market Act halted the scheme.

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Story summary

A court has dismissed a £50m lawsuit against the Scottish government over its failed deposit return scheme.
Waste firm Biffa claimed a letter from former minister Lorna Slater assured the scheme's viability.
Judge Lord Sandison ruled Biffa's interpretation was unrealistic and that the letter did not guarantee success.
The UK government's refusal to exempt the DRS under the Internal Market Act halted the scheme.