18. To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on support for measures to improve waste management at the local level, with particular reference to recycling. (137605)

My officials and I meet regularly with the Local Government Association. Increased recycling is a goal we share and are working on together. The household waste recycling rate has quadrupled since 1997 and further measures to increase recycling will be announced in our new waste strategy shortly.