A LIB Dem peer has visited York to lend his support to the party’s campaigning here, and to back new recycling policies.

Former Government Deputy Chief Whip Lord Shutt came to the city to support James Blanchard’s campaign to be the next MP for York Outer. The two visited the Curious Coffee Company in Haxby to talk to staff about Liberal Democrat policies to support small independent businesses, as well as the party’s desire for a levy of 5p on each disposable coffee cup to encourage recycling.

Mr Blanchard said: “This small change will make a huge difference to our environment.

“Many of us purchase our morning coffee and throw away the cup without even thinking about it. Our 5p charge would increase awareness of the environmental impact and change consumer behaviour towards using re-usable cups and mugs.”

Currently 2.5 billion disposable cups are thrown away every year in the UK – and fewer than 1 in 400 are recycled. The Curious Coffee Company is one of many that have introduced incentives for customers using reusable cups.

Money raised from the 5p coffee cup charge would go to charitable causes chosen locally, as with the plastic bag charge, with an encouragement to support environmental charities.

Lord Shutt added: “Liberal Democrats brought in the plastic bag charge and it’s proved highly successful – coffee cups are the next logical step. For the Liberal Democrats protecting our environment and tackling climate change is a priority. We can and must act.”

The Liberal Democrats want to increase recycling with measures including a legally-binding recycling target of 70 per cent in England. The plastic bag charge has reduced their use by 85 per cent, and raised £29.2 million for good causes in England during the first six months.