ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has urged Ministers to reconsider after they have dismissed calls from an influential Committee of MPs to apply a 5p charge to all shops in England that give out single use carrier bags
The Ministers set out their view in the response to the report of the Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons, which was published today.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "Compulsory carrier bag charging is a policy that works. It significantly reduces carrier bag usage, it saves retailers money and it generates money for good causes. We agreed with the MPs on the Committee that exempting small businesses from the 5p charge will create confusion for retailers and customers alike.
"We very much welcome the intent behind the exemption, but we believe that Ministers’ aim to not add regulatory burdens on small business can be achieved through exempting them from the reporting requirements only.
“We will continue to press Ministers to change their plans for a small business exemption.”
