I thought I would update you about the work we have been doing on the landfill tax – from making videos, lobbying MPs and Lords, hammering the mainstream media, notifying regional Mayors and construction businesses. You are integral to all that work because you gave me your time and knowledge, which helped me see key elements of the impacts when we were totally out of touch; particularly in regards to the construction soils disposal permit. In the end we got the result we all wanted in the budget. Thanks again for your time.
The budget has confirmed that the landfill tax rates for waste materials will remain the same with two bands, one for commercial and household waste and one for inert materials such as soils from construction projects.
The Treasury were lobbied by the construction sector and quarrying industry and we represented all of our clients and many others through the British Aggregates Association in providing examples of the cost impact to the sector in both financial and environmental terms if the proposals to scrap the exemption to landfill tax for quarries and amalgamate the two bands into one were adopted.
It would have seriously affected the business model of most companies not being able to rely on the income from accepting soils to a quarry site, not meet the obligation to restore a quarry if the soil was not available under the landfill route, and the loss of mineral reserves as the design of face profiles would have to be more conservative.
Whilst we feel the worked examples submitted to the Treasury helped the Government make an informed decision in the budget yesterday on landfill tax our work is not over.
Over the next few months are consultations on the NPPF which all mineral operators should respond to in relation to the landbank for sand, gravel and rock, the provision of legislation to address the 2042 end date of most planning permissions and the application of BNG to minerals operations.
If you require any further information and advice please do not hesitate to contact John Carlon.