New research has found the majority of MPs are against the Government intervening – either through taxes, or a ban – to reduce the amount of packaging used by their constituents.
The research, commissioned by Cavendish Consulting and undertaken by YouGov, shows a difference between the opinions of MPs and members of the public. According to the survey, 49% of MPs support interventions to reduce single-use plastic packaging compared to 68% of the public.
This trend is found in opinions on other materials too. According to the research, 27% of MPs support interventions to reduce single-use cardboard packaging compared to 52% of the public.
22% of MPs support intervention to curb the use of single-use metal packaging compared to 49% of the public. Finally, 16% of MPs support intervention on single-use glass packaging compared to 39% of the public.
The polling has also revealed clear dividing lines between the Conservatives and Labour, with Labour MPs being more in favour of greater interventions to reduce packaging waste.
72% of Labour MPs were supportive of interventions to reduce the use of single-use plastic, compared to 29% of Conservative MPs. However, the majority of Labour MPs do not support increased intervention to reduce the use of single-use cardboard (39%), metal (19%) and glass packaging (16%).
Commenting on the findings, David Button, Head of Insight at Cavendish Consulting said: “Our polling clearly shows that MPs are generally not supportive of either increasing taxes or telling consumers and businesses what materials they can and can’t use.
“Labour MPs are far more aligned with the general public on a lot of these issues, and while Labour are more likely to intervene on these issues it is unlikely policies that increase taxation or that seek to ban packaging waste will make their way into the party’s manifesto while consumers are still experiencing the cost of living crisis.”
