The Scottish government’s new transport minister Keith Brown has attacked big retailers for their decision to suspend home deliveries in Scotland because of the freezing weather.
Brown described the action of retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer as “unreasonable” in the run-up to Christmas, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Retailers have suspended non-food deliveries of goods ordered online or warned of delayed arrival because of Arctic conditions that have resulted in a backlog.
Amazon, Boots and Toys R Us are among the retailers whose deliveries have been affected and courier firm Parcel Force has suspended deliveries to depots in Scotland.
Brown said: “This is an unreasonable response to the weather situation and we are pressing retailers to explain the withdrawal of these services from Scotland, and ask that they come forward with solutions so that the backlog is cleared as quickly as possible.”
The Scottish Government has itself been criticised for failure to prepare for snow, leading to the resignation of former transport minister Stewart Stevenson at the weekend.
Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesman finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said: “The SNP government’s chaotic handling of this has to stop. It’s an absolute embarrassment that some retailers have suspended Christmas orders and deliveries to Scotland.”
Scottish Tory chief whip David McLetchie said: “It’s not the responsibility of Amazon to keep the roads clear, it’s the responsibility of the Scottish government.”
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