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Written question asked by Stephen Gilbert (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 29 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 February 2015 (named day). It was answered by Dan Rogerson (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 3 February 2015 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Plastic Bags

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons small and medium-sized enterprises are exempted from the provisions of the draft B Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015; and if she will bring forward a revised draft Order omitting that exemption.

Answer

We have chosen to exempt small and medium businesses (with fewer than 250 employees) from the plastic bag charge to avoid placing an administrative burden on start-up and growing businesses at a time when we are supporting growth in the economy.

Large companies make up the major proportion of the country’s retail market. For example, the relatively small number of retail companies in the UK with more than 500 employees employ 65% of people working in retail and have 69% of annual retail business turnover.

We have no plans to remove the exemption for small and medium businesses, although those businesses are able to charge on a voluntary basis.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
222668
Session
2014-15
Subjects
Fees and charges Plastic bags
Legislation
Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk