Landfill tax rates are to increase each year.

The announcement came as part of the Chancellor’s recent Spring Budget, said the cap on contributions to the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) from landfill operators will also increase from 4.2% to 5.3%.

In 2017-2018 the value of the LCF, which provides support to communities affected by landfill operations, will remain unchanged at £39.3 million – the increase in rates aims to maintain the level of revenue going into the fund as landfill use falls.

The UK Government will also consult on extending the scope of landfill tax to covering illegal waste disposal.

This would mean operators without permits or fly tippers could be charged higher rates for dumping rubbish than if it had been disposed of legally and aims to provide additional punishment.

The announcement of new packaging recycling targets means by 2020, the UK will be aiming for an overall recycling rate of 75.4% and recovery of 82%.