‘Latte levy’ suggestion rejected by Ministers

MINISTERS HAVE refused to take up the idea of a 25p ‘latte levy’ on disposable coffee cups suggested by a committee of MPs.

The Environmental Audit Committee has today published the Government’s response to its report on coffee cups which made a number of recommendations for reducing their environmental impact.

Among them was the introduction of a minimum 25p levy on disposable cups, to be paid by the consumer on top of the price of the coffee.

MPs said the revenue generated should be collected and managed by a central body and used to fund recycling infrastructure.

But in its response, the Government declined to support the idea, suggesting instead that shops should offer discounts for customers with reusable cups.

Committee chairwoman and Wakefield MP Mary Creagh said: “The UK’s throwaway culture is having a devastating impact on our streets, beaches and seas. Our report recommended practical solutions to the disposable packaging crisis. The Government’s response shows that despite warm words they plan no real action.”

Separately, Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey told litter louts “Don’t be a tosser” as MPs called for the introduction of a deposit return scheme to reduce waste. Ms Coffey drew laughs with the tongue-in-cheek remark, telling MPs that “it doesn’t help society by just dropping litter everywhere”.

Her comments in the Commons came as MPs made fresh calls for a scheme to increase the recycling rate of plastic bottles.