Taxation: Plastic Bags

Lord Jenkin of Roding Excerpts

Monday 28th May 2012 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Lord Jenkin of Roding]

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that over the past six years the issue of plastic bags has decreased by some 40% and that 4 billion fewer bags are used now than six years ago? More recycled plastic is used in the bags that are produced so that the use of virgin plastic has reduced by 61%. Is it not right that a lot of supermarkets have quite sophisticated schemes for encouraging their customers not to use plastic bags? When my wife and I shop at a branch of Sainsbury’s in west London, we are given a credit if we bring our own bags.