The Scottish Government has confirmed the nation’s landfill tax will be set at the same level as the rest of the UK.

Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney made the announcement in Holyrood yesterday as part of the draft Budget package for 2015-16.

The standard rate of landfill tax will be £82.60/tonne and the lower rate at £2.60/tonne when it comes into effect from April 2015, he said.

Mr Swinney also pledged communities near landfill sites will benefit from increased funding as the cash raised from the Landfill Tax will be paid into a Communities Fund. Projects within 10 miles of a landfill site or waste transfer station will be eligible.

He said: “The rates announced today avoid any potential for ‘waste tourism’ through the differences in the tax rates north and south of the border and provide appropriate financial incentives to support our Zero Waste goal.

“Those living close to landfill sites can experience some detrimental impacts which is why this fund will provide for communities or environmental projects in the vicinity of land sites.”