Minister hints on introduction of carrier bag charge for England
The current Resource Minister and previous Environment Minister Lord de Mauley has responded to a question in a House of Lords debate that the government are ‘actively considering a charge on carrier bags (for England) based on the experience in the devolved Administrations.’ He appears to rule out a ban of any sort, instead preferring the standard method of reducing carrier bags which is through a levy of some sort.
He has also indicated that benefit might be given where recycled bags are provided. Whatever measures are agreed, it seems these will be a key action that will be highlighted in the National Waste Prevention Plan that is due to be published in December.