The local authority body said today (November 26) it had decided to remove its proposal to limit single use shopping bags in the capital in light of amendments to the Climate Change Bill, which would see a minimum charge for shopping bags introduced if retailers failed to “voluntarily and significantly” minimise their use.
The London decision comes just days after single-use bags featured in the Pre-Budget Report with the Treasury signalling that the government was pleased with the way in which retailers are endorsing reduction schemes (see letsrecycle.com story).
And, the decision also comes at a time when the government is looking to ease pressure on the consumer sector and stimulate spending. There have been concerns in Whitehall that a shopping bag levy or tax would add a cost burden to the retail sector during the economic downturn.
Councillor Merrick Cockell, chairman of London Councils, said: “We have decided to withdraw the London Shopping Bags Bill, having accepted that the government's amendments to the Climate Change Bill could bring about our desired reduction in the number of single use bags given out.
“We are accepting the government at its word, and fully expect them to take action against retailers should they fail to reduce numbers voluntarily. The government must never forget the depth of public feeling on this issue. We will continue to hold them to account should they fail to deliver on their promise,” he added.
Letter
The body, which launched a private member's bill to address shopping bag use in the capital last November, said that the pledge to include the provision for shopping bags had been made in a letter to Cllr Cockell from environment minister Jane Kennedy.
London Councils said that, in the letter, the minister praised the organisation's contribution to the debate on the topic and said that its lobbying, through measures such as a two-month consultation with London residents, served to highlight the ‘depth of public support' for action to be taken on shopping bags.
The news follows the emerging trend among some major supermarket chains, such as Marks and Spencer, to impose its own charging system for bags or, in the case of Sainsbury's, reduce the visibility of bags at the checkout to encourage members of the public to remember to bring reusable bags.
History
The London Local Authorities (Shopping Bags) Bill first came to light in November last year, when London Councils announced plans to ban the distribution of free, single-use shopping bags in the capital following a consultation with residents (see letsrecycle.com story).
Claiming that as few as one in 200 shopping bags were being recycled, the organisation proposed charging for plastic bags but faced staunch opposition from retailers over the proposed ban, who branded the measures “excessive” and petitioned to stop the Bill entering Parliament (see letsrecycle.com story).
Subscribe for free