To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact that the £2.7 billion per annum cost that the reforms to extended producer responsibility will have on (a) food and drink businesses and (b) food prices.
Answered on
1 November 2021
Under our proposals the cost of managing and recycling packaging waste will transfer from local taxpayers and others who deal with waste to the businesses who make and use packaging. Our initial analysis indicates that this will not result in significant increases in consumer prices (including food prices). However, it will be for the businesses in question to decide if they will increase prices, or improve and reduce their packaging.
The final impact assessment, which will be published next year, will include assessment on this point.