Euro MP: Plastic Bags Tax Welcome, But Hardly Makes Budget Green

11.09.00pm GMT Wed 12th Mar 2008

Commenting on today's budget announcement of possible future taxes on single use plastic bags, local Euro-MP Liz Lynne said:

"Of course this is a welcome move which will get plastic bag use down and help to reduce the damage to the environment and wildlife, however, the government is playing catch up compared to other EU Member States such as Belgium and Ireland, and it could be 2010 before any legislation comes into force.

"They are failing to see the bigger picture on climate change and continue to allow rapid airport expansion and new coal-fired power stations, both of which produce more CO2 emissions, so this initiative hardly makes this government, or budget, green."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The budget announcement means that a government tax on single use plastic bags may be tabled next year if major shops have not already started charging for them by that time. While Marks & Spencer and Asda already charge, Tesco have recently said they have no plans to.