§ David TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment has been made of the impact of the aggregates levy since its introduction on the quarrying industry in(a) the East Midlands and (b) the United Kingdom; [148961]
(2) when the level of the aggregates levy was last reviewed; [148962]
(3) what assessment he has made of the impact the aggregates levy has had since its introduction on (a) the extraction of virgin aggregates and (b) the use of secondary aggregates in (i) the East Midlands and (ii) the UK; [148972]
(4) what plans there are to review the level of the aggregates levy; [148975]
(5) what assessment has been made of the impact of the aggregates levy since its introduction in (a) the East Midlands and (b) the UK. [149143]
§ John HealeyAn update on the Government's current assessment of the impact of the aggregates levy was in the pre-Budget report (Cm 6042). Monitoring of the aggregates levy takes the form of a rolling programme of research and analysis of data as it becomes available. It encompasses all regions of the UK and it takes account of data from specific research, such as the Government-commissioned Symonds Report on the levy's impact in Northern Ireland, as well as information from business organisations, individual companies, environment groups and site visits by officials.
Emerging evidence suggests that overall primary aggregates extraction has fallen since the levy's introduction; for example, the total outputs from the Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry for Great Britain for 2002 show a decrease of 5.7 per cent. on the 2001 figures. While there are a number of factors affecting extraction levels, it is clear that the levy has played a significant part in encouraging that reduction.
The rate of the aggregates levy is reviewed annually as part of the Budget process.