Taxation: Plastic Bags

Debate between Lord Sassoon and Lord Anderson of Swansea

Monday 28th May 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, I have learnt a lot about plastic bags over the past couple of days. As I am sure my noble friend knows, there is a voluntary scheme in this country which has reduced the use of single-use bags by some 45% across the UK. The first evidence of how the Welsh scheme, which started on 1 October last year, is doing will come out imminently. Scotland is about to issue a consultation document about possible charging for carrier bags which we will look at, and it is intended that the Northern Ireland scheme will come in in April 2013. I think it is as yet a little early to see what has happened in the devolved Administrations.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

The Minister says that it is a little early to see what has happened in the devolved Administrations, but surely the evidence from Wales is already clear. When one goes to a supermarket, one pays 5 pence for a plastic bag, and there has been a very substantial reduction in their purchase—I heard that it is 70% rather than 90%—as a result. Are we now in touch with the Welsh Assembly Government, who have got there first?

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, as I have said, we will look carefully at the evidence. The first official figures are due to be released shortly and we will see what they show.

Economy: Private Capital Investment

Debate between Lord Sassoon and Lord Anderson of Swansea

Tuesday 20th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, that is a very interesting question. The board of RBS has made it clear that it is going to concentrate its business on its corporate and personal banking and therefore, certainly relative to its total business, it will indeed achieve that.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, will the new enterprise zones be wholly or mainly limited to the manufacturing sector?

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, the enterprise zones are not limited to any particular sector.

Housing: Lettings

Debate between Lord Sassoon and Lord Anderson of Swansea

Monday 26th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sassoon]

My Lords, the changes to the taxation arrangements for holiday lettings, on which the Government will consult during the summer, are intended to strike a balance between recognising the important contribution that holiday letting makes to the economy in rural areas and making sure that the tax reliefs available are not principally for wealthy owners of second homes. The changes, on which we will consult, will make sure that the taxation benefit available is more targeted than it was previously.

[Lord Anderson of Swansea]

My Lords, the Minister said that he is not aware of any assessment having been made of the effect of the changes in housing benefit on the private rented sector. Is it not normal in government to assess the effects of policies before they are introduced?