The news that the Scottish Labour party’s manifesto will include the policy was revealed as Mr McConnell made a speech in which he echoed Environment Secretary David Miliband’s call for individuals to take responsibility for addressing climate change.
Councils would be free to decide which measures would enable a household to qualify for the discount, as well as the size of the discount itself. Officials said a figure of £100 might be appropriate.
Last year the Scottish Executive promised to consult on direct variable charging for household waste collection if the idea was widely supported (ENDS Report 373, p 37 
).
Mr Miliband personally supports direct variable charging but a decision on whether to introduce it in England is not expected at least until the Lyons review of local government reports in March.
