Scottish Tories launch campaign to reverse bulk uplift charge in Glasgow
The charge was implemented last week.
Last updated 13th Jul 2021
The Scottish Tories are fighting to have a bulk uplift charge in Glasgow reversed, after it was implemented for all residents last week.
Glasgow City Council now requires £35 to be paid from any households needing up to ten standard items lifted, or one large electrical item.
Tory councillor Thomas Kerr urged the council not to go ahead with the decision in fear it would cause a rise in fly-tipping.
The party's now launched a campaign to have the fee reversed.
Councillor Thomas Kerr said: "I think it penalises those on low incomes, those who can't afford it.
"It creates a two-tier system where if you have a car you can take stuff to the dump, but if you don't - what are you going to do if you can't afford it?
'Penalises those on low incomes'
"I think it's going to exacerbate the problem when it comes to fly-tipping.
"There's going to be huge issues when it comes to fly-tipping now because people won't be able to afford this bulk uplift charge.
"It's the worst mistake the SNP has made."
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
Fly-tipping on the streets of Glasgow
The councillor says he thinks the city will be cleaned in time for COP26 though.
'The city will be clean for COP26'
Councillor Kerr said: "I think the council will clean up the city for when world leaders arrive.
"I think where Joe Biden and other world leaders are going to be will clean because they'll want to put on a good show.
"My argument is I don't think Joe Biden and other world leaders deserve better than what ordinary Glaswegians are getting."
A spokesman for Glasgow city council said: "The new bulk uplift arrangements are similar to those in place in almost every other town and city in Scotland.
"Putting additional items into the waste stream should be everybody’s last resort - and households have a range of other, more sustainable and often free options to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
"Where it is unavoidable, almost every housing association in the city provides an uplift service for their residents and bulky items can also be taken to waste centres without charge.
"Members can, of course, bring forward proposals to change the policy and seek the support of their colleagues."
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