UK NEWS

ROW OVER HOUSEHOLD WASTE 'TIP TAX'

A row has erupted over plans for a 'tip tax'

Thursday August 23,2007

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(7)

Households in England could have to pay to take rubbish to their local tip under new Government proposals, the Tories said.

A Whitehall consultation document on boosting recycling revealed plans which would allow town halls to charge people for throwing away household waste which does not fit in their bins.

The Conservatives labelled the proposals a "tip tax" and claimed it would increase fly-tipping and punish responsible behaviour.

They claim the consultation, which closed last week, calls for councils to impose "pay as you throw" charges for doorstep waste collection and allows for the new tip tax - but will not lead to a reduction in council tax.

Under the current system, councils have a legal duty to provide sites for local residents to dispose of household waste free of charge.

Shadow local government secretary, Eric Pickles, said: "The Labour Government has an appalling record on fly-tipping. Yet their plans for a new 'tip tax', on top of bin taxes and existing council tax bills, will punish responsible behaviour.

"Whitehall has already ordered town halls to shrink the size of wheelie bins. Now good citizens who want to depose of large household items at their local rubbish tip will be hit with new stealth taxes.

"I fear that this anti-green tax will reward fly-tipping - with more fridges, sofas and black bin bags littering our landscape and open spaces."

The Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households document states that any regime must be "revenue neutral", with councils not allowed to use the charges as a method of raising money.

The "tip tax" would be designed to stop people avoiding doorstep collection charges by taking all their household waste to the local dump.

ROW OVER HOUSEHOLD WASTE 'TIP TAX'

24.08.07, 12:02pm

Council tax and tv tax are my two "pet hates"., closely followed by the EU - which is responsible anyway, for most of the ridiculous punishments meted out to us in this country.
The only "service" that EVERYONE receives, is refuse collection, and now we are going to be expected to pay more. I think we all know that increases in council tax, are more to do with council workers salaries and gold plated pensions, than for any "services". Oh, and subsidizing the foreigners who are immediately entitled to housing, and council tax / housing benefit. In fact, over the last 10 years, council tax has doubled and "services" cut. I already have to dispose of neighbors' waste, in the form of their cat poop. I will NOT pay extra to heave it collected, so it won't be going in my bin anymore !

• Posted by: BoggyDepot • Report Comment

ROW OVER HOUSEHOLD WASTE 'TIP TAX'

24.08.07, 8:27am

Not even a lunatic could think that Council Tax will actually be reduced in any way shape or form.

These proposals will inevitably lead to people either Burning such rubbish in their gardens or fly tipping.

I know od at least 4 retail outlets who have started to stock the old "Metal Dustbin Incinerators with a chimney built into the lid and they are beginning to become a best seller.

Looks like we could end up with November the 5th every week.

• Posted by: EmperorMing • Report Comment

"IT WILL NOT LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN COUNCIL TAX"

24.08.07, 3:30am

I thought that the councils were already making a charge for the collection of big items of rubbish such as sofas and beds...
Under these new proposals; I like the "it will not lead to a reduction in council tax".... as if anyone would dare to think it might.....Under NU-Labor tax payers money only flows in one direction.....usually down the drain!

• Posted by: TicToc • Report Comment

ROW OVER HOUSEHOLD WASTE 'TIP TAX'

23.08.07, 10:47pm

This is just another stealth tax from a money grabbing inefficient government who think they can do exactly whatever they like regardless of what the electorate wishes. The government poll allegedly saying most people agree with pay as you throw is a blatant pack of lies. No one I have spoken to says they would be happy to pay as they throw so come on Brown and Co come clean.

• Posted by: Vymnto • Report Comment

LAWMAKERS SHOULD STOP TO THINK

23.08.07, 5:05pm

This really appears to be a preposperous suggestion, lacking I'm afraid any deep thought as to consequence.

When I lived near Maastricht, one local Gemeente (town Council) tried to introduce the method of paying by weight for rubbish collection. This led to the ridiculous sight of people sneaking out at night to put rubbish into neighbour's bins and eventually to fights. The Gemeente gave up the scheme after a few weeks. If this could happen with the highly disciplined and law abiding Dutch, I hate to think what could happen in the UK where many are far less tolerant.

Councils cannot believe that those who cannot be bothered to sort their rubbish into recyclable and landfill are suddenly going to be motivated to go to a tip (possibly miles distant) and pay.
It is much more likely they would emulate the Dutch and start a local bin war or just despoil the locality with random fly tipping.

Please let's have a more sensible approach of facilitating and encouragement rather than penalty to this problem

• Posted by: lokisfriend • Report Comment

TIP TAX!

23.08.07, 3:32pm

What the hell do we pay the council tax for? OH! I know to pay out to bloody immigrants and the civil servants in local government. If they cant even empty our dustbins they should all clear off! and get a proper job!.The council's are run by total incompetants who think they can screw what the want out of the long suffering tax payer. No wonder there are so many people leaving this shit hole of a country.

• Posted by: kenherts • Report Comment