Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the costs and benefits for local authorities of installing underground refuse collection systems and (b) the potential impact on (i) collection efficiency, (ii) streetscape quality, and (iii) fly-tipping costs.

Collection methodology is a local decision. Government guidance states that local authorities should decide collection methodology in a way that meets local needs, provides value for money for the taxpayer, and does not lead to build-up of odorous waste at the kerbside or an increase in fly-tipping of residual waste.