Defra's plastic bag charge tangled in red tape, warn MPs

Jessica Shankleman
clock

Environmental Audit Committee urges government to drop planned exemptions for small businesses and biodegradable plastic bags

For a government that claims to be wholeheartedly committed to slashing red tape, it seems odd to have planned a plastic carrier bag charge that is far more complex than needed. That is the conclusion...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Policy

'People want to be free of fossil fuel crises': The green economy reacts to the Future Homes Standard

'People want to be free of fossil fuel crises': The green economy reacts to the Future Homes Standard

Businesses, politicians, building experts, energy firms and more offer their verdict on the government finalising long-awaited clean energy and efficiency standards for new UK homes

BusinessGreen staff
clock 24 March 2026 • 17 min read
'Switch and Save': Government urged to embrace reforms that promise to curb energy bills

'Switch and Save': Government urged to embrace reforms that promise to curb energy bills

Electrify Britain campaign sets out package of policy recommendations that aim to reduce energy bills and make it easier for households to switch to clean technologies

James Murray
clock 24 March 2026 • 5 min read
'Energy sovereignty': Government to confirm Future Homes Standard as part of latest clean energy drive

'Energy sovereignty': Government to confirm Future Homes Standard as part of latest clean energy drive

Strengthened building standards, approval for 'plug-in solar' panels, and new offer of cheaper power on windy days to all feature in package of measures to bolster UK energy security

James Murray
clock 24 March 2026 • 9 min read