Haringey’s Liberal Democrats have hailed as a victory the decision by the Labour-run council to extend door-to-door recycling across the borough. Labour’s climb-down comes after pressure from the Liberal Democrats, who made the extension of recycling a key issue in the recent local elections where the party gained 13 seats from Labour.

Labour’s record has been the subject of sharp criticism in recent months for its abysmal record on recycling.

In July, a government inspection gave the council a zero-star rating for its recycling, rubbish collection and traffic management services. The borough’s recycling rate is at an abysmal 4%, with the council in danger of government intervention if it does not improve.

In the 1998 elections, Labour promised a sharp increase in the borough’s recycling rate over the next four years, but instead it fell even lower.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“I welcome Labour’s rather late conversion to recycling, and will be watching closely to see that these plans are followed through. The Liberal Democrats in the borough have long campaigned to get the council to take action. At last, they have finally done something which may improve the present hopeless performance.”