Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increases in dredging disposal costs arising from the removal of the Landfill Tax exemption for Air Pollution Control residues on trends in levels of frequency and scale of dredging of rivers, canals and ports.

The Government recognises the important role that the energy from waste, dredging and biomass sectors play in supporting the Government’s circular economy objectives.

The Government announced at Budget last year that it would remove the Landfill Tax exemption for stabilisers used in dredged material from April 2027 because it is inconsistent with the government’s circular economy ambitions. The decision followed on from a consultation on reform to the tax, during which the Government engaged with stakeholders in a range of sectors. This will not prevent the use of stabilisers, but it will encourage businesses to limit their use to what is necessary.

The Government do not expect the change to have a significant impact on flood risk management as most material removed during routine waterway maintenance is reused locally and deposited adjacent to the channel, avoiding the need for disposal at landfill sites.