MPs probe rules for managing waste schemes across the UK

• Inquiry: Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework
• Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

In a complex legal scenario, the Government is drawing up common sets of UK-wide processes to facilitate trade and other relationships between parts of the UK which may have different arrangements under devolved powers. These common processes are known in the jargon as ‘Common Frameworks’ 

The importance of developing effective Common Frameworks is illustrated by a potential problem between the UK and Scottish Governments.

The Scottish Government has proposed a bottle deposit return scheme due to be introduced this year. Under the scheme, people in Scotland will pay a returnable deposit when buying beverages in certain single-use drinks containers

However, the UK Government may reportedly try to block the scheme because it is not in line with rules under the UK-wide Internal Market Act, which makes it easier for businesses to sell products and services across the four home nations. This dispute has created the potential for what has been described as a possible “constitutional row”.

If there were different deposit return schemes in the various home nations it might discourage cross-border beverage sales or cause other complications for consumers, businesses and waste management.

An effective Common Framework could help resolve such disputes in the future, making it easier for consumers and businesses to buy, sell and dispose of products – including, for example, used bottles – in different parts of the UK.

Chair's comments

The Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Sir Robert Goodwill MP, said:

“Recycling bottles – glass or plastic – through a deposit return scheme is obviously a good idea. It reduces litter and helps us have a more self-sustaining economy.

So I hope we can come to a common-sense agreement that also respects legitimate desires for some devolved decision-making – not only on this bottle deposit scheme but on other waste issues as well.

We must avoid a situation where beverages can’t be moved freely across the Scottish border or that is confusing for people living close to the border”.

Bottle return schemes are only one example of areas affected by the Framework. For a fuller explanation of its scope please click here

Call for evidence

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is seeking views on the potential impact and effectiveness of the Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework.

People and organisations with expertise or experience in the areas covered by the inquiry are invited to submit written evidence. For advice on how to submit this and how we use the information, please click here.

The deadline for written submissions is Friday 5 May 2023.

Terms of reference for inquiry

The Committee would like to gather stakeholder opinion on the potential effectiveness of the Resources and Waste provisional Common Framework as well as its impact on the UK internal market and organisations in England.

We invite submissions answering the following questions, thinking specifically about the impact on organisations that either work solely in England, or in England and one or more of the devolved nations:

1. Are the processes outlined in this provisional Common Framework for Resources and Waste sensible or will they present any practical challenges or unnecessary burdens for stakeholders?
2. Will the Common Framework strike the right balance between enabling “the functioning of the UK market” while also allowing for policy divergence and enabling the UK to enter into and implement international agreements?
3. Should the Common Framework set out further policy detail and if so, where?
4. What risks are posed by policy divergence in resources and waste policy and does this Common Framework address these concerns?
5. Will the Common Framework help the UK move towards a circular economy for its waste and resources?
6. Are there any other notable observations relating to the content of the framework that may warrant Committee scrutiny, including any proposed changes or additions to the framework?

The deadline for submissions (that may cover some or all of the above points) is Friday 5 May 2023. Submit your written evidence here

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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