Spring Statement 2018: Philip Hammond plans plastic tax on chewing gum, crisp packets and takeaway trays as part of vows to slash waste
BRITS could see more tax slapped on chewing gum, crisp packets and takeaway packets as part of measures to clamp down on our plastic use.
In his Spring Statement today, the Chancellor announced a consultation on what more we can do to try and slash Britain's use of wasteful single-use plastics.
He said: "Our generation should leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it."
Extra taxes are likely to be slapped onto the plastics we use at the moment.
The Chancellor said he will look into giving tax cuts to vans who have low emissions, too.
And he promised £20million to help universities develop solutions to our reliance on plastics.
In the Spring Statement, Philip Hammond announced:
- The UK economy is growing faster than expected, with growth of 1.5 per cent forecast for 2018
- National debt is about to start falling as a share of the economy as the Government no longer borrows cash for day-to-day spending
- The economic gains will allow him to increase spending later this year
- Average wages will finally begin to rise above inflation by the autumn
- Ministers will consult on a new litter tax and provide relief for small firms
- Tech giants could face tax changes which will see them finally paying their fare share
Deposit schemes will also be looked at to reduce littering and boost recycling.
Campaigners are calling for a levy on single-use plastics which take months to decompose, including gum.
The Treasury is already considering one on cutlery, bottles and cups.
Today's consultaiton confirmed that ministers are still "considering" the latte levy on takeaway coffee cups.
Around 12million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans every year.
A 5p tax on plastic bags led to a huge 85 per cent decrease in the number of single-use bags being issued at supermarkets and shops.
Greenpeace UK senior political adviser Rebecca Newsom said in response to today's announcement: "The success of the plastic bag charge shows that a smart tax on plastic can work, so it's good to see the Chancellor reconfirm his commitment to look into this.
"The main problem with single-use plastic is that we produce far too much of it in the first place.
"There should be more pressure on supermarkets and food giants to cut down the amount of throwaway plastic they put in circulation, and it should go hand in hand with a UK-wide deposit-return scheme for all drinks containers that can boost collection rates."
Today's Spring Statement also saw a slight uplift in the public finances, in a boost for Britain's economy as we head out of the European Union.
But Mr Hammond has refused to increase spending, warning that Britain still faces a sky-high debt burden.
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Opening his speech, the Chancellor said: "The UK economy has grown every year since 2010."
He hailed the strongest manufacturing growth for 50 years and record low unemployment, blasting Labour for spreading "doom and gloom" on the economy.
In a nod to his own gloomy reputation, he said: "If there are any Eeyores in this chamber, they are on the benches over there. I on the other hand am at my most Tigger-like today."
- For all the latest on the Spring Statement from The Sun click hereInside Ekoplaza, the world's first plastic-free supermarket, in Amsterdam