Bridget Fox Calls on Government to Meet Lib Dem Chewing Gum Challenge

5.05.56pm GMT Thu 17th Feb 2005

Bridget Fox calls on Government to meet Lib Dems' Chewing Gum Challenge.

Bridget says, "Like much of London, Islington faces a sticky situation with chewing gum. Historic York Stone and clean new pavements alike are blighted by gum selfishly left by thousands of people every year. It is totally unnecessary yet it's blighting the borough."

Liberal Democrats at the GLA have consulted other boroughs and discovered that London's Councils are spending an estimated total £2.3million of public money in cleaning up chewing gum alone. Meanwhile, costs incurred by London Underground's attempts to remove discarded gum from tube stations and trains reach a further £2million.

Bridget says "These millions could be much better spent on improving the environment, instead we are subsidising the gum-droppers. I want the Government to take a tough line with the gum manufacturers by making them pay a 'penny per pack' sold, which would go directly to local authorities to help pay for clear-up costs."

Other suggestions from the Lib Dem GLA team include: financial incentives to develop biodegradable gum consumer awareness campaigns and printing larger messages on packages to encourage responsible disposal.