Landfill Tax
Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Simon Wright (Norwich South, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effect of increasing landfill tax on levels of food waste sent to landfill; and if she will make a statement.
Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative)
We estimate the tonnage of food waste sent to landfill will fall by around 14% between 2011 and 2016. This estimate takes account of all policies, not just landfill tax, but does not include policies announced as part of the 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England. Policies on food waste in the review, such as a new voluntary agreement with the hospitality and food service sector, may have a further impact on the amount of food waste sent to landfill. The Government's long-term vision is that no food waste goes to landfill.
Landfill tax will increase from £56 per tonne in 2011-12 to £64 per tonne in 2012-13, £72 per tonne in 2013-14 and £80 per tonne by 2015.