Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that forthcoming deposit return schemes in the devolved nations are (a) interoperable and (b) do not disadvantage consumers or businesses based on their geography.

Although waste management is a devolved policy, we work closely with colleagues in devolved administrations to ensure consistency where possible. Ministers regularly meet with colleagues in the devolved administrations to discuss a range of issues.