10/09/2013
Carrier Bag Levy Will Not Increase – Durkan
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has said the carrier bag levy will not increase next year.
There had been discussions to increase the levy from five pence to 10 pence from April 2014.
However, the August release of provisional first quarter figures revealed a large reduction in single use bag numbers, with many major supermarkets seeing a reduction in excess of 80% in their stores.
After reflecting on the results, as well as engaging with stakeholders, the Minister has decided to keep the levy at five pence.
Mr Durkan explained: "I have always said that the public have been ahead of government here wanting a reduction in bags littering our streets and countryside. The recent results show that the five pence levy has produced a step change in consumer behaviour – leading to a significant reduction in bag numbers.
"As a result I believe that we do not need to increase the levy to ten pence. Since the introduction of the five pence levy, the public have adopted a very responsible attitude and I commend them for that. I therefore will keep the levy at five pence for the foreseeable future. I will of course keep the situation under review."
The Minister added that he does still intend to continue with plans to extend the five pence levy to low cost reusable carrier bags from April 2014. This is to prevent these bags becoming the new 'throwaway' bags.
The Carrier Bags Bill, which will provide the Department with the powers to apply the extension, was introduced to the Assembly in June. The Bill is currently being scrutinised by the Environment Committee.
(JP/CD)
There had been discussions to increase the levy from five pence to 10 pence from April 2014.
However, the August release of provisional first quarter figures revealed a large reduction in single use bag numbers, with many major supermarkets seeing a reduction in excess of 80% in their stores.
After reflecting on the results, as well as engaging with stakeholders, the Minister has decided to keep the levy at five pence.
Mr Durkan explained: "I have always said that the public have been ahead of government here wanting a reduction in bags littering our streets and countryside. The recent results show that the five pence levy has produced a step change in consumer behaviour – leading to a significant reduction in bag numbers.
"As a result I believe that we do not need to increase the levy to ten pence. Since the introduction of the five pence levy, the public have adopted a very responsible attitude and I commend them for that. I therefore will keep the levy at five pence for the foreseeable future. I will of course keep the situation under review."
The Minister added that he does still intend to continue with plans to extend the five pence levy to low cost reusable carrier bags from April 2014. This is to prevent these bags becoming the new 'throwaway' bags.
The Carrier Bags Bill, which will provide the Department with the powers to apply the extension, was introduced to the Assembly in June. The Bill is currently being scrutinised by the Environment Committee.
(JP/CD)
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