Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes clash again in final TV debate of SNP leadership race

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes clashed again tonight in the final TV debate of the SNP leadership race.The two frontrunners to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister set out opposing views on the future of the Scottish Government's controversial recycling scheme, which is due to launch in August.Yousaf accused Forbes of wanting to let big businesses "off the hook" after she repeated her intention to pause the deposit return scheme (DRS) if she wins power.The health secretary suggested smaller drinks producers could be exempted from the scheme - but insisted it should still be launched later this year.The DRS will charge Scots a 20p deposit for each single-use drinks can or bottle they purchase in a bid to encourage more recycling.But many companies have refused to sign-up and other firms have warned the scheme could put them out of business in its current form.In a testy exchange during the live BBC debate, Yousaf was asked by host Stephen Jardine why he had earlier suggested that Forbes had "moved to the right economically".He replied: "I was simply saying we should build on our progressive agenda.

What you could do is exclude small business and ensure big business is held to account."Forbes fired back: "I think it’s perfectly progressive to represent small businesses, because small businesses are indeed the backbone of our Scottish economy."That is not a lurch to the right, that is pretty desperate spin.”Yousaf responded: "I think you’re appealing to big business by letting them off the hook in a really important scheme, because climate is so important to all of us."Ash Regan, the third candidate vying to replace Sturgeon, has also backed calls for the scheme to be paused.She said: "We can’t be putting too many