The change reverses a measure first introduced by the Public Health Act 1875 which charged local authorities with the duty of arranging the removal of household waste and was designed to stop the previously widespread practice of scavenging.

Shadow local Government secretary Eric Pickles said: "It is disgraceful that these new laws are being rushed through Parliament with no debate and no vote.

Well, the law was stacked against the government - I mean, all they were trying to do was avoid their responsibilities - why should they have to manage the disposing of rubbish .... far better to create more chaos in the legal department......... then their sloping shoulders won't look so obvious.

What a scam we have for a government