§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's budget is for 2000 to 2004 for recycling and composting. [133477]
§ Mr. MullinThe Spending Review 2000 provided £140 million specifically for local authority waste and recycling, and substantial resources towards the Waste and Resources Action Plan, which will tackle barriers to increased recycling and promote new markets for recycled materials. Substantial extra resources—an increase of £1,127 million by 2003–04—will help fund environmental, protective and cultural services, including waste management. Local authorities will set their own priorities for the use of these resources. The Department also supports local authority sustainable waste management projects through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). An announcement on PFI funding for the Spending Review period will be made shortly.