THE UK could “learn a lot from Wales” on recycling, Newport East MP Jessica Morden has said.

Speaking in Parliament this week the Labour MP quizzed environment minister Thérèse Coffey about work being carried out to reduce the amount of plastic the UK sends abroad for recycling.

She said: “Wales has the best recycling rate in the UK and the second best in Europe, and the Welsh Labour Government have the stated aim of being the first 'refill nation'.

“Could not the Department (for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) learn a lot from Wales, including on plastics that we send abroad, and incorporate that in the upcoming resources and waste strategy for England?”

Dr Coffey replied: “I give credit to the Welsh Government for their progress, as I have at the EU Environment Council in the past, and I assure (Ms Morden) that we have been looking carefully at what they are doing.”