Assembly plans to use Climate Change Act powers to ban free carrier bags

11 Aug 2009

Plans by the Assembly’s Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, to use powers contained in the Climate Change Act 2008, could lead to Wales being the first country in the UK to introduce a ban on free carrier bags.

The powers enable the devolved administrations to make regulations requiring vendors to charge for single-use carrier bags. Reports suggest that if the Minister’s proposals come to fruition, the charge, which would apply to all shops, market stalls and takeaways in Wales could be in the region of 5p to 15p, with further reports that the Minister has hinted that she favours charging towards the upper end of the scale.

According to the Minister, introducing a charge for all carrier bags would be part of a move towards reducing waste and would raise £13 million for environmental projects. The Minister has been reported as saying that current incentives, such as loyalty card points for customers brining their own bags are not working and that tougher measures needed to be taken.

In the Republic of Ireland, use of carrier bags was reduced by 90% following a charge equivalent to 13p in 2002. The charge was however later increased following an increase in the use of carrier bags some years later.

The retail sector has previously spoken out against the proposals, claiming that it would represent a ‘tax’ on Welsh consumers which could alienate customers. This has been fervently denied by the Minister who stated that the Assembly does not have tax-raising powers and that there is widespread support for the proposals.