Michael Fabricant is concerned that John Prescott’s latest plan – to fine
residents £500 a year if they don’t recycle their rubbish – is unfair to
residents who live in Lichfield District, and any other council area which
recycles its rubbish. He will be taking this matter up in Parliament.

"I don’t think this latest scheme has been thought through at all" says
Michael Fabricant. "The Local Government Bill will require dustmen to snoop
through people’s rubbish and check whether plastics, food, paper and so on
have all been separated properly. If they have not, residents can be fined
£10 each week. If they don’t pay, they can face a prison sentence.

"This is unfair to local residents. Lichfield now recycles over 90% of its
rubbish and the new system makes Lichfield Council one of the greenest in
the country. But in Westminster, they have the old system where all the
rubbish goes in one plastic bag so residents there – including John
Prescott – can’t be fined.

"While I am keen that we all do our bit for recycling in Lichfield, I don’t
want people snooping in my green boxes! I shall now take this matter up in
Parliament and ask how the Government intends to reconcile the fact that
their latest stealth tax, there’s been 53 so far, could penalise people
living in green council areas while those living in Westminster will get off
scott free! Where’s the fairness in that?" he asks.