Landfill (Hansard, 7 January 2003)

Whitehead
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of schemes funded by tax foregone under the landfill levy would be eligible for funding under the terms of the allocation of funds for public spending to encourage sustainable waste management in(a) 2003–4, (b) 2004–5 and (c) 2005–6. [88585]

§ John Healey
The design of the public spending programme will be determined following further work on the management of waste policy.

§ Mr. Flook
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many environmental projects which are funded by the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and that contribute to achieving the United Kingdom biodiversity action plan, have a completion date beyond March 2003. [88974]

§ John Healey
There are no statistics that detail how many environmental projects, funded by the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, contribute to achieving, the United Kingdom biodiversity action plan and have a completion date beyond March 2003. Contributions made by landfill site operators for the period up until 31 March 2003 will still be able to be spent after that date on current projects. A reformed tax credit scheme, worth around £47 million a year, will continue to be available for community environment projects, including those that contribute to biodiversity, after 31 March.

§ Mr. Flook
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government will make a decision on the criteria or scope of the replacement spending scheme for the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme which runs until March 2003. [88975]
166W

§ John Healey
Decisions on the criteria and scope of the replacement spending scheme for waste related projects will be made by Budget 2003, as the Government are aware of the need to make announcements in good time.
The general tax credit scheme will continue for local community environmental projects after 31 March 2003, with around the present level of funding available for these projects. The Government are currently considering the detailed administration and the criteria for the scheme and will be announcing any further changes over the coming months.