Environment secretary suggests further DRS delay

Barclay stressed that interoperability is crucial for businesses, and indicated that he would use the same Internal Market Act (IMA) as Defra did in Scotland to remove glass from the scope in Wales.

He told MPs: “Given this balance between the benefits of the scheme versus the benefits of having something interoperable, I don’t think 2025 is now realistic and certainly I don’t think business would view it as a realistic deadline.”

“But I suspect if I was pushed on it, a sort of 2027 deadline is probably more likely.”

The scheme, which would see consumers recoup a small deposit when they return single-use bottles and cans, has been in development in the Environment Department (Defra) since 2017 and was part of the 2019 Tory manifesto.

It had already been delayed from late 2024 to October 2025.

This news has been warmly welcomed by both the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and its members, as positive steps are being taken to ensure a fully aligned four-nation approach, a key pillar of the Association’s 2024 Manifesto.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “This delay announced by the Secretary of State helps to alleviate worries in the industry that the scheme, while needed, was being rushed, as we have seen with recent attempts in Scotland.”

“The key next steps for Defra are to ensure that DRS schemes across the UK are implemented according to an appropriate time scale, in an interoperable manner and in partnership with industry.”