Labour’s net zero tax on glass will drive up the cost of making jam, the King’s supplier has warned.

Essex company Wilkin & Sons, which manufactures Tiptree jams and marmalades, said it had “great concern” about the new levy, which will push up the cost of glass jars and bottles when it takes effect next month.

The Government is planning to enforce a regulation that would make packaging producers responsible for the cost of recycling their products.

The extended producer responsibility rules will impose extra costs on manufacturers, which are expected to be passed on to food producers and consumers. But the costs under the scheme are based on the weight of the materials, which will make glass significantly more expensive to produce than plastic.

The rules could force companies to sell beer, wine, jam and other products in plastic packaging to avoid price rises, even though glass is a more environmentally-friendly material.

Government must ‘urgently’ review plans
Chris Newenham, the joint managing director of Wilkin & Sons, said the Government must “urgently” review its plans or face higher jam prices on the shelves.

“Wilkin & Sons have proudly filled in glass jars for the last 140 years,” he said. “Glass for us offers the best balance between maintaining exceptional product quality, being visually appealing, and most importantly is infinitely recyclable.”

Mr Newenham said the plans were “great concern” with “the proposed levy on glass being punitive when set against that of plastic”, adding: “We can’t imagine that this is what the Government intended with this legislation, and hope that they will review this position as a matter of urgency.”

Wilkin & Sons has been granted a royal warrant to supply jam and marmalade to the Royal Household under every monarch since George V in 1911. Its Tiptree marmalade was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Read More: Labour’s net zero glass tax will drive up costs

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