This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23565034
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bag charge to bring £90m boost to Scotland, report says | Bag charge to bring £90m boost to Scotland, report says |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Charging Scottish shoppers for carrier bags would bring a net benefit of £90m, a Scottish government report says. | Charging Scottish shoppers for carrier bags would bring a net benefit of £90m, a Scottish government report says. |
| Some shops already charge for bags, but under ministers' plans all would impose a minimum fee of 5p after October 2014. | Some shops already charge for bags, but under ministers' plans all would impose a minimum fee of 5p after October 2014. |
| The proposal aims to reduce consumer waste, with proceeds from sales donated to charities and environmental groups. | The proposal aims to reduce consumer waste, with proceeds from sales donated to charities and environmental groups. |
| The assessment examines the long term costs to businesses and shoppers over time, compared with the current voluntary charge system. | The assessment examines the long term costs to businesses and shoppers over time, compared with the current voluntary charge system. |
| The Scottish government previously said the charge could raise up to £5m each year for good causes. | The Scottish government previously said the charge could raise up to £5m each year for good causes. |
| It added a consultation found Scottish residents supported bringing in a charge. | It added a consultation found Scottish residents supported bringing in a charge. |
| The report outlines one-off costs to retailers, estimated to amount to £1.7m, such as altering tills to process and itemise the charge on receipts, train staff and communicate changes. | The report outlines one-off costs to retailers, estimated to amount to £1.7m, such as altering tills to process and itemise the charge on receipts, train staff and communicate changes. |
| Annual costs to larger retailers of keeping records and reporting on the change are estimated at £1.5m. | Annual costs to larger retailers of keeping records and reporting on the change are estimated at £1.5m. |
| The government says it wants the scheme to be "cost-neutral" to retailers and plans to negotiate an agreement on donating the net proceeds after recovering administration costs. | The government says it wants the scheme to be "cost-neutral" to retailers and plans to negotiate an agreement on donating the net proceeds after recovering administration costs. |
| One-off costs to the government, including advertising and communication and preparatory work on enforcement, are estimated at £1m and there is expected to be a further £1m in annual costs. | One-off costs to the government, including advertising and communication and preparatory work on enforcement, are estimated at £1m and there is expected to be a further £1m in annual costs. |
| 'Red tape' | 'Red tape' |
| Wales became the first part of the UK to introduce a minimum charge for single-use carrier bags in 2011 and a charge was brought in Northern Ireland this April. | Wales became the first part of the UK to introduce a minimum charge for single-use carrier bags in 2011 and a charge was brought in Northern Ireland this April. |
| The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said it is examining the evidence from Wales and wants to work with shops in England to reduce waste but has not proposed a mandatory charge for carrier bags. | |
| Business organisation CBI Scotland has complained the move will mean "costly additional red tape" for firms. | Business organisation CBI Scotland has complained the move will mean "costly additional red tape" for firms. |
| And responding to the report, Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor, the party's environment spokesman, said: "It's all very well saying this is a move to safeguard the environment, but that's of no consolation to struggling retailers who are being lumbered with more costly red tape. | |
| "And people who find it hard enough to pay their weekly shopping bill are going to find there's yet another charge to contend with. | "And people who find it hard enough to pay their weekly shopping bill are going to find there's yet another charge to contend with. |
| "We'd much prefer to see an incentive-based scheme brought in, which could see shoppers rewarded - something that will make it easy for businesses to run if they want to." | "We'd much prefer to see an incentive-based scheme brought in, which could see shoppers rewarded - something that will make it easy for businesses to run if they want to." |
| WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "There will always be some costs associated with the introduction of any new initiative. | WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "There will always be some costs associated with the introduction of any new initiative. |
| "However, the report clearly shows the overwhelming result will be a positive one for the environment and for the taxpayer, with cleaner streets and countryside as well as less waste." | "However, the report clearly shows the overwhelming result will be a positive one for the environment and for the taxpayer, with cleaner streets and countryside as well as less waste." |