The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has accused the UK Government of “dragging its feet” when it comes to how it intends to tackle the amount of plastic waste finding its way into the environment.
EAC chair, Mary Creagh MP, has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond, to ask where is the government’s promised call for evidence on a proposed single-use plastic tax?
Last Autumn, the Chancellor used the budget to announce that he would “investigate how a tax system and charges” might look for reducing plastic waste. Since then, three months later, no consultation has been launched.
“My committee’s recent inquiry into disposable packaging highlighted the 700,000 plastic bottles that are littered every day.”
Mary Creagh, in her letter, states: “You will be aware of public concern around the impact of plastic pollution on our environment. My committee’s recent inquiry into disposable packaging highlighted the 700,000 plastic bottles that are littered every day. These are just on example of single-use plastics that can end up in our seas and oceans.”
The MP for Wakefield then asked the Chancellor when the intended consultation will launch and who will run it, Defra or the Treasury.
The letter coincides with a comment by Environment Secretary Michael Gove, that suggests the Government is looking into a potential ban on plastic straws in the UK.
The Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham recently announced Scotland was looking at the potential for a ban on plastic stemmed cotton buds.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Gove said to “watch this space” for further action on plastic straws.
For the full letter from Mary Creagh MP, CLICK HERE.