A news story on the front page of the Guardian today began: “The government is planning to introduce a tax of 9p on every plastic shopping bag in an attempt to reduce litter and pollution, according to the environment minister, Michael Meacher.”
In fact, Mr Meacher has called for a DEFRA report into the success of a scheme recently started in the Irish Republic in which plastic shopping bags are taxed at 9p each – an initiative already said to be pushing people to use reuse bags or opt for biodegradable or paper options.
A DEFRA spokesman said: “The government aren’t planning to do this. The Irish have had this plastic bags tax in place for about three months. Officials will have a look at how it’s going and report back to Mr Meacher in June. All we are doing is waiting for the report to be produced.”
Arguing strongly
But the spokesman confirmed: “Mr Meacher has called for the report and he’s going to be arguing strongly to bring it forward in the UK.”
DEFRA has also confirmed that the report on carrier bags is not being compiled under the auspices of the PIU, which is compiling a major report on waste and recycling for the Cabinet Office. However, the Irish scheme is expected to be discussed within the PIU.
Mr Meacher told the Guardian in an interview today: “I would be arguing very strongly for putting something [similar] through here. Obviously, you have to talk about it with government, get agreement – it will require legislation, all the rest, but I think it’s a cracking good idea.”
British shoppers use around 134 bags each every year – eight billion bags in total per annum. These are usually just thrown away.
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