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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish an updated timeline for the implementation of the (a) deposit return scheme and (b) extended producer responsibility schemes.

Our Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging came into force in January, and notices of liabilities have recently been issued. From 2026 fee modulation will be introduced to encourage producers to use more recyclable and sustainable packaging.

The Deposit Return Scheme regulations for England and Northern Ireland came into force in January 2025, and June 2025 by Scottish Government, to run the Deposit Return Scheme. The scheme will launch in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland in October 2027.