Pay-as-you-throw bin tax trials thrown out

PAY-as-you-throw bin taxes were killed off today after town halls boycotted trials of the new levies.

Ministers had proposed penalties of up to £100 a year and incentives to encourage recycling but no council volunteered to pilot a scheme which had widespread public opposition.

"Bin taxes are now dead in the water," said shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman.

"These unpopular new taxes would harm the environment by fuelling fly-tipping and backyard burning and hike tax bills for struggling families."

Councils' refusal is a blow to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who had battled to keep the project alive in face of opposition from Downing Street.

Ministers had wanted five town halls to pilot the scheme under which households could even be given padlocks to lock their bins to stop neighbours dumping rubbish to lower their bills.

Environment Minister Jane Kennedy insisted that councils themselves had asked for powers to impose levies but said: "No local authorities have expressed an interest in piloting a scheme at this time.

"It is laudable that authorities are working hard to reduce the amount of waste thrown away and increase the amount recycled. We have seen great progress over the last few years."