Variable charging would replace Council Tax charge, says minister

Speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Blackpool, the Environment Minister was tackled by the audience over the government's plans for charging and over the proposals being prepared by the Strategy Unit, formerly known as the PIU.

Mr Meacher clarified the type of household charging for waste collection that the Strategy Unit is currently looking at. He said: “This would not be, as some rather silly tabloids thought, in addition to the council tax, this would replace council tax – you would be charged for the amount of waste you generated.”