Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 3.59 of the Budget 2018 Red Book, what the evidential basis was for his Department concluding that a levy on all cups would not at this time be effective in encouraging widespread reuse; and if he will make a statement.

This question was answered on 4th March 2019
The Government recognises the problems caused by disposable cups, which are difficult to recycle and often littered. At Budget 2018, the Government concluded that a levy on all cups would not at this point deliver a decisive shift from disposable cups to reusable cups across all beverage types. This conclusion is based on the submissions made to the government during the call for evidence on single use plastic waste and examining alternatives to current single-use cups containing plastic.

The Government expects industry to go further in taking action on disposable plastic cups and will return to the issue if sufficient progress is not made. The Government is also considering the case for reducing the environment impact of disposable cups within a reformed Packaging Producer Responsibility system and a potential Deposit Return Scheme.