Spending Review: Cuts could be end of waste scheme

Spending Review cuts could see the end of a waste scheme between councils in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

Project Reduce was set up by Milton Keynes Council and Northamptonshire County Council in 2008.

The aim was to find a greener alternative to landfill for waste that cannot be recycled.

But now the government is withdrawing £138m of funding from a private finance initiative (PFI) the councils have said they are "reviewing" options.

'Disappointing'

The funding was part of a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) PFI scheme and would have contributed to the cost of the project.

Heather Smith, cabinet member for highways, minerals and waste at Northamptonshire County Council, said: "This is disappointing for everyone involved in the project - although we completely understand the need to review all spending in these economically challenging times.

"The financial and environmental problems associated with landfill are not going away.

"The project will now review its options in an effort to find a solution that continues to meet the long term needs of all our residents."