Plastic bag charge to be introduced in England
Baku, September 18 (AZERTAC). A 5p charge for plastic bags in England is to be introduced by the government in a bid to discourage their use.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to unveil the plans at the Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend.
Ministers are said to be concerned at the environmental impact of the bags, particularly on waterborne animals.
The charge, which will only apply to supermarkets and larger stores, will begin after the 2015 election, with the proceeds going to charities.
A similar charge applying to the single-use carrier bags made from both plastic and paper is already in effect in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland's Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, this week announced he was not going ahead with plans to raise the levy to 10p per bag, because the present arrangements were proving successful.
He said data from major supermarkets showed there had been an 80% reduction in plastic bag use since the levy was brought in.
Retailers in Scotland will start charging for bags in October 2014.
According to Liberal Democrat sources, the charge in Wales, which began in 2011, has seen the use of plastic bags drop by roughly 75%.
Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said his party had faced opposition to the scheme from the Conservatives.
He said the charge would only raise "pretty small amounts" for charity, as its intention was to get people to reduce the amount they use.
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