Unfair delivery practices are not only frustrating and discriminatory for consumers on the Isle of Cumbrae, they are a barrier to the operation of small businesses.

That is the view of Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson who has taken up the plight through the Scottish Government.

On Scotland’s first Fair Delivery Day recently, the government launched its ‘Fairer Deliveries for All’ action plan, enabling consumers to see whether they are paying over the odds for parcel deliveries.

The action plan is the direct result of talks with parcel delivery companies, businesses, consumer groups and regulatory bodies.

Powers to regulate parcel delivery surcharging is reserved to the UK Government; however the government is doing what it can to help consumers recognise and avoid excessive and discriminatory charges.

The crowdsourcing website Parcel Delivery Charges in Scotland – A fairer deal? will capture consumer experiences, helping regulators, consumers and retailers to pinpoint and target unjustified pricing.

The plan has eight actions to help rural and island communities and businesses understand their rights when it comes to parcel delivery.

Another aim is to improve the accuracy of postcode classification by the end of 2019, to stop accessible locations being mistakenly categorised as rural or remote.

MSP Kenneth Gibson said: "Unfair delivery practices are not only frustrating and discriminatory for consumers on the Isle of Cumbrae, they are a barrier to the operation of small businesses in island communities.

"This action plan reinforces our commitment to ensure deliveries work for people across Scotland irrespective of where they live, empowering online shoppers to recognise and act upon unfair or misleading delivery costs.

“It is time for companies to review their delivery surcharges to make them fair, transparent and consistent.

“I don’t want people on the Isle of Cumbrae to fall prey to these ridiculous charges and this initiative will be very useful in helping to avoid this."