Shops must reduce bag use

RETAILERS will be told to cut the use of plastic bags or face legislation to make shoppers pay for them.

The move was unveiled by Environment minister Jane Kennedy in return for London boroughs dropping a bill that would have introduced a charge across the city for the bags.

The organisation withdrew the Bill after the Government pledged that it would impose the charge if shops do not make a significant cut in the number of bags they give out.

If retailers fail to comply, the minimum charge will be imposed across England and Wales, rather than just London.

The pledge was made in a letter to London Councils chairman Merrick Cockell, in which the minister praised the organisation for shaping the bag debate.

The minister also said London Councils' lobbying had highlighted "the depth of public and political support" for action.

"We have today 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 shopping bags given out," Mr Cockell said.

"The Government must never forget the depth of public feeling on this issue. We will continue to hold them to account."

Some stores have already begun charging for plastic bags. Marks and Spencer charges 5p, while Sainsbury's gives shoppers 1p per bag if they use their own bags.