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Treasury urges ministers to cut non-priority spending
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised to tackle government spending waste with an "iron fist" by asking departments to identify 5% efficiency savings in their budgets. Under a "zero-based" spending review, departments will need to justify all spending each year. Budgets will be scrutinised by panels, including former senior bankers and experts, to ensure spending aligns with government priorities. Departments will be advised to stop spending that doesn't contribute to key goals, such as building 1.5 million homes and reducing NHS waiting times.
The Treasury aims to prioritise spending that supports these goals, potentially downgrading non-priority areas. Critics, including the Conservatives, argue that Reeves has not yet made public sector spending more efficient or cut welfare spending. The government plans to cut ineffective programs, citing a £6.5 million social worker scheme that showed no positive impact. While some, like Shadow Treasury Minister Richard Fuller, criticise Reeves for failing to reform public sector productivity, others, such as Liberal Democrat Daisy Cooper, warn against cuts to social care, arguing it would harm both people and public finances.
Source: BBC News, 9 December 2024
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Vaping category to be added to electronic waste disposal rules
The UK government has announced plans to extend the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations to vape producers and online retailers. A new category will be introduced for vapes to aid collection and recycling efforts. The charity Material Focus estimates that 9 in 10 stores selling disposable vapes are not complying with their collection and recycling obligations.
The changes will also require online retailers to contribute fairly towards the costs of recycling electrical waste. Under the proposed changes, retailers will be required to register with a government-approved compliance scheme and ensure that they meet specific recycling targets. This move is part of the government's broader strategy to reduce waste and encourage more responsible product design.
This is alongside government efforts to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England, which will be published next year and include sector-specific plans for reducing waste.
Source: Edie, 10 December 2024
See also: Defra press release: Online giants to pay their fair share for electrical waste | Government response to the consultation on reforming the producer responsibility system for waste electricals.
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Vape company reports decline in sales ahead of disposable ban
Chill Brands, a vape and CBD company, has reported a decline in UK sales due to the upcoming ban on single-use vapes set for June 2025. The prospect of the ban has reduced retailer demand for disposable vapes, impacting Chill's sales. While continuing to sell existing products, the company does not expect a significant recovery in demand for single-use vapes in the UK.
Source: The Independent, 10 December 2024
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Charity warns of children having allergic reactions to vapes
Experts have raised concerns that vaping could cause life-threatening allergic reactions in teenagers, with some children in the UK being hospitalised due to allergic responses from e-cigarette vapour. The flavourings in vape liquids, particularly those mimicking food or dessert flavours, can contain allergens like nuts, dairy, and gluten.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (Narf) has called for clearer allergen labelling on vapes, as they are not currently required to list allergens like food products. The foundation has highlighted the risk to young people, who are more likely to be affected by allergies. NHS data shows a rising number of hospital admissions due to vaping, with over 350 people, including 50 children, treated for vaping complications last year.
Source: The Times, 9 December 2024
Editorial note: It is unclear how many people have experienced allergic reactions to vapes but there is no evidence of widespread allergic reactions from vaping. NHS England reporting only specifies whether vaping was recorded as the primary or secondary cause of a hospital admission – it does not specify whether the admission was due to an allergic reaction. NHS reporting on vape-related admissions does not specify whether the person was also exposed to tobacco smoke or whether factors contributed to the admission.
The article states that propylene glycol, an ingredient in vape liquid, can cause wheezing and asthma attacks. However, no evidence is provided to support this claim. The article also claims that allergic reactions and asthma attacks can be triggered by inhaling secondhand e-cigarette vapour. Again, no evidence is provided to support this claim. Existing studies suggest that some suggest that short-term exposure to second-hand vapour is not harmful, however further research is needed. Asthma and Lung UK advises that people with a lung condition may be sensitive to the vapour from e-cigarettes, similar to the way lung symptoms can be set off by things like cold weather, dust, or pollen. In contract, smoking is a leading cause of asthma and respiratory conditions.
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Clampdown on illicit tobacco in Coventry
La Mirage on Earlsdon Street in Coventry has been ordered to close for six weeks after the city's trading standards department secured a court order. Despite previous warnings, the store continued to sell illicit tobacco and vaping products. The closure will last until January 13, and anyone violating the order could face imprisonment, fines, or both. The council emphasised that illicit tobacco and vaping products not only harm legitimate businesses but also pose greater risks to users due to higher levels of tar and other toxic chemicals.
Source: Talking retail, 9 December 2024
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