Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plastic Packaging Tax

Tuesday 5 September 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government announced a formal review in April to assess the impact of the plastic packaging tax through environmental and tax data analysis and customer research.
  • The aim of the tax is to encourage businesses to use more recycled plastic in packaging, with exemptions limited to promote innovation in the industry.
  • The Treasury is considering circular taxation measures to evaluate recycling and landfill amounts as part of assessing the environmental impact of such taxes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Ansell Con
Environment
Context

The effectiveness of the plastic packaging tax is under scrutiny due to potential environmental and economic impacts.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the plastic packaging tax?

Answer from Gareth Davies

In April this year, we announced a formal review through analysis of environmental and tax data and customer research to assess the impact of the measure. More information about the evaluation will be published later this year.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q2 Caroline Ansell Con
Taxation Environment
Context

A business in Eastbourne has made changes to meet environmental ambitions but faces challenges with sterile packaging requirements for food and pharmaceutical products, which brings their containers into scope for the plastic packaging tax.

Question

Is there a new direction I can share with that business, or will ongoing policy reviews look at such cases?

Answer from Gareth Davies

The aim of the tax is to encourage businesses to use more recycled plastic in packaging. Following consultation, we decided to limit exemptions because they want to encourage innovation in the industry. However, all taxes remain under review.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q3 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Taxation Environment
Context

A proactive approach to a circular economy could create jobs and cut consumption emissions.

Question

What circular taxation measures is the Treasury looking at to help achieve those outcomes?

Answer from Gareth Davies

We want all taxes relating to the environment to have an impact. The plastic packaging tax will assess recycling and landfill amounts. Those evaluations are part of assessing the environmental impact.

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