Parliamentary Questions on Carrier Bags

“Levying even a small charge on single-use carrier bags may not be the best option”

The following question was recently raised in Parliamentary Questions by Nicholas Brown MP on the subject of Carrier Bags.

Single-use carrier bags

Question:

Mr Nicholas Brown: “To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what comparative assessment he has made of different potential measures to reduce the distribution of single-use carrier bags; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of placing a requirement on businesses to charge for plastic carrier bags.”

Response:

Richard Benyon: “We are currently assessing various measures to reduce the distribution of single use carrier bags. This includes monitoring the results of the single-use carrier bag charging scheme in Wales, Northern Ireland’s plan to launch a charge from April 2013, and the outcome of the Scottish consultation on a charge. However, we recognise the pressures on household budgets at this time; levying even a small charge may not be the best option.”