DUNFERMLINE'S Primark bosses welcomed the local MP to the store last week after the company announced plans to slash its environmental footprint.

Douglas Chapman met with the Primark management team on Friday last week, where he learned about the changes local shoppers can expect now, and in the years ahead.

Earlier this month, Primark committed to making its clothes far more sustainable and longer lasting, while also halving its carbon emissions and paying a living wage throughout its supply chains.

The company aims to make those changes over the next ten years, while also maintaining the affordability many people rely on.

Speaking after the visit to the High Street store, the SNP's Dunfermline and West Fife MP, said: “Primark is one of the biggest clothing suppliers around, and is now the largest retailer in the town centre.

“I was interested to learn about its plans to minimise its environmental impact through Primark’s new sustainability strategy.

“For example, the company already uses recycled or sustainably sourced materials in 25 per cent of its products.

“Their ambition to push that up to 100 per cent over the next few years is laudable, and I hope it encourages other large clothing suppliers to follow suit.

“The question is whether large retailers can build in sustainability to things like how they ship goods across the world and if they can set themselves even more ambitious targets to get to net zero even more quickly than planned.

“Beyond that, the firm’s plans to remove single-use plastics from its products, slash its carbon emissions and enhance the pay and opportunities of its manufacturing staff globally are all steps in the right direction.”