ONLINE shoppers in the region are being forced to shell out significant additional costs for parcel deliveries compared with the rest of the UK, it has been revealed.
Research carried out by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) shows that people in Dumfriesshire are paying £996,000 extra in delivery surcharges each year.
In Galloway and West Dumfries, buyers are accumulatively out of pocket by £815,000 due to the rural delivery rates.
And across the South of Scotland, £1,811,000 extra is being paid annually relative to the rest of the UK.
South Scotland MSP Emma Harper called the figures “very disappointing,” adding that online shoppers are being made to “fork out more than others in Scotland” due to where they live.
She said: “Despite efforts from MSPs, the charges continue to sky-rocket.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic many of us have relied on online shopping in one way or another and we should not have to be punished purely on postcode alone – it will really hit hard-working families this Christmas.
“Now, more than ever, delivery charges across the UK should be fair and transparent, and people should have the information they need to make informed choices.”
