14 March 2008
Local government leaders have called on ministers to honour their promise to return the revenue generated by landfill tax to councils.
In a letter to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, Local Government Association chair Sir Simon Milton said councils needed the money to invest in refuse and recycling facilities. The letter has been co-signed by 86 council leaders of all political persuasions.
The 2003 Pre-Budget Report promised that landfill tax increases from 2005/06 onwards would be revenue neutral for local authorities, but the LGA is concerned that the government has set out no clear way the money will be returned to councils over the next three years.
'Ministers have not even told councils how much money has been raised so far,' Milton's March 7 letter stated. 'Following this year's dramatic increase in the tax, sending rubbish to landfill could see nearly £70 per household going to Whitehall over the next three years.
'Council taxpayers will be hit with a £1.5bn bill unless money raised through landfill tax is returned to councils as promised.'
PFmar2008
