‘tax’ on carrier bags faces retail sector opposition

15 Jul 2009

Plans by the Assembly Government’s Sustainability Committee to raise charges for plastic carrier bags to as much as 15p have come under criticism from the retail sector.

According to the Committee, the charge, if imposed, is expected to raise as much as £13 million a year which would be spent on environmental causes and cut litter.     

The British Retail Consortium has however recently spoken out against the charge which it claims is equivalent to a tax on consumers which could alienate customers.

Jane Milne, environmental director of the BRC claimed that the emphasis on the environmental impact of carrier bags had been overstated and that "the key to achieving lasting change in behaviour is retailers taking customers with them in ways they find acceptable, by encouraging and rewarding." [1] 

The BRC claims that figures show retailers exceeded targets for reducing the impact of barrier bags by the end of last year.

Environment Minister, Jane Davidson is reported as saying that there had been public support for a ban on plastic bags, including a petition lodged with the Assembly. She also denied that the charge was a "tax". She said "The assembly government has no tax-raising powers. This is a proposed charge".[2]

[1] Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/8144728.stm

[2] Ibid