Resource Use

Ministers to be quizzed on waste policy

By Annie Kane | 10 January 2014 | Add a Comment

Copyright House of Lords 2014/Photography by Roger Harris

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is to question three government ministers on Tuesday (14 January) on how government intends to realise value from waste and attract more investment in the sector.

In the final evidence session of the six-month inquiry into the economic benefits of waste (largely limited to organic waste and waste gases produced by agriculture, industry and households), the committee will question Resource Minister Dan Rogerson, Business Minister Michael Fallon, and Energy Minster Greg Barker on how government can ‘maximise potential’, boost local authority ‘cooperation’ and ‘attract more investment’ in the waste sector.

Questions the committee will ask will cover:

  • what steps government can take to ‘make sure the potential of this growing area’ is realised;
  • how departments can work together to ‘deliver a long-term strategy and support investment in new, value from waste technologies’; 
  • how government can ensure the Green Investment Bank is ‘effective’ in supporting the waste sector; and
  • what government can do to remove the risk from investment.

The committee will also quiz ministers on whether government needs to ‘take a firmer line in making sure the potential of waste is maximised’ (following on from Rogerson’s first official letter to the industry that stated the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be ‘stepping back’ from waste policy’ from April 2014’ due to budget cuts).

The committee has already heard from a range of business, third-sector, and government officials as part of its inquiry, which has included hearings on what encourages and discourages investment in waste technologies; how waste can be turned into new products; and how the EU prevents food waste. 

A final report into the committee’s findings is expected to be published in ‘early 2014’.

The evidence session will take place on Tuesday, 14 January, starting at 10.40am. It can be watched live on Parliament TV.