Minister gives more details on waste charging pilots

On 30 January, while considering the Climate Change Bill, the House of Lords debated amendments tabled by both Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers relating to provisions to introduce waste charging pilot schemes. In response the Defra Minister, Lord Rooker, admitted the Bill needed to be strengthened further in terms of the mechanics of reporting back to Parliament on the success or otherwise of pilot schemes before direct charging could be applied nationwide.

Commenting, ESA Chief Executive Dirk Hazell said:

“ESA welcomed the amendments to strengthen the pilot, as we saw force in the argument of Liberal Democrat and Conservative peers that both rural and urban areas should be assessed. Though these amendments were not voted onto the face of the Bill,  I am pleased that the Minster Lord Rooker gave clear assurances that this will be the case.

“Piloting household waste minimisation incentive schemes is a welcome step to help householders to be more sustainable and provide further opportunities to make Britain a Recycling Society.” The Bill has now completed its Committee stage in the House of Lords, and shortly has its Report Stage and Third Reading before transferring to the House of Commons for debate. ESA is continuing to monitor its progress.”