Ellie Ames 17 January 2024

MPs at odds with public on packaging measures

MPs at odds with public on packaging measures image
Image: Hsyn20 / Shutterstock.com

Appetite for government intervention to reduce the use of packaging, either through taxes or bans, is lower among MPs than with the public, new research has found.

A YouGov poll found that less than half (49%) of MPs support intervention to tackle single-use plastic packaging, compared with over two-thirds (68%) of the public.

The survey, which was commissioned by Cavendish Consulting, found that support among MPs was also lower than among the public for new measures on single-use cardboard, metal and glass packaging.

The polling revealed dividing lines between the Conservative and Labour parties, with Labour MPs far more supportive (72%) than Tories (29%) on intervening to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

However, Labour MPs were less supportive of increasing intervention to reduce the use of single-use cardboard (39%), metal (19%) and glass (16%) packaging.

The head of insight at Cavendish Consulting, David Button, said: ‘Our polling clearly shows that MPs are generally unsupportive of either increasing taxes, or telling consumers and businesses what materials they can and can’t use.’

He added that while Labour MPs are ‘far more aligned’ with the public on several issues, it is unlikely that policies that increase taxes or seek to ban packaging waste will become part of the party’s manifesto while consumers continue to experience the cost-of-living crisis.

This article first appeared on LAPV

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,606
Teacher M1 - M6    £31,650 - £43,606 Full Time, Whole Time Temporary – required 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2026 The Governors of Red Rose P Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEN Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 - £24,404 pro rata
SEN Clerical Assistant Grade 2   £24,027 - £24,404 pro rata Temporary – one year contract from start date Required as soon as possible The Woodlands Ferryhill
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Deputy SENCO

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084 + £9,782
Deputy SENCO  M1 - UPR3 plus TLR1A £31,650 - £49,084 + £9,782 Full Time, Whole Time Required for September 2025 Permanent Durham Johnston Comprehensi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teacher of Music

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084 pro rata
Teacher of Music  Part Time  0.6 FTE MPS / UPS  £31,650 - £49,084 pro rata Permanent Required from September 2025 Durham Johnston Comprehensive Schoo Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teacher of Geography

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £49,084
Teacher of Geography  M1 – UPR3  £31,650 - £49,084 Full Time, Whole Time Required for September 2025 Permanent Durham Johnston Comprehensive School i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner