Bin men will refuse to collect rubbish from households that do not follow written instructions under legislation currently going through parliament.

Ministers say the amendments to the Climate Change Bill merely clarify existing guidance to local authorities but opponents have labelled the move “disgraceful”.

Joan Ruddock, the minister for climate change, biodiversity and waste, confirmed the change saying: "There is still a general duty to collect rubbish free from households. All that has changed is that when a household is given a formal notice, if they don't abide by it then the council no longer has a duty to collect."

The provision could mean councils refusing to empty bins that are too far from a kerb, are not placed directly outside a gate or are put out on the street too early.

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.

“People genuinely want to improve recycling and go green, but Labour’s policy of bin cuts and bin taxes will fuel fly-tipping, back yard burning and harm public health.

“These changes will fuel the public backlash at the Government’s rubbish policy. Under Gordon Brown, local residents are paying exorbitant levels of council tax, but are failing to get decent public services in return.”

But Ms Ruddock said: “Local authorities still have a duty to collect household waste - this amendment does not change that.

“It merely clarifies the position that the Government set out in 2005 - that if local authorities explain to people in a formal notice how they should put their waste out for collection and they ignore this, the council is not obliged to collect it. This is no change to the situation now.

“The purpose of the amendment was made absolutely clear during the Committee stage of the Climate Change Bill. There was no opposition to it and no vote was taken.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Milk: do we need a dairy godmother?
• DIY: the women doing it for themselves
• First double portrait of Princes unveiled