12 Mar 2008


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Plastic bag charge is nothing to fear, say independent retailers

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The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) says a levy on plastic bags would “hold no fears” for independent retailers after plans for a charge were announced by Chancellor Alistair Darling in his first budget today.

Darling stated that a charge on carrier bags would be introduced if further progress was not made towards cutting their environmental impact.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We have fully supported the Government's targets to reduce the impact of carrier bags and there are countless excellent initiatives by independent retailers aimed at reducing bag use.

“A levy on carrier bags would, if introduced sensitively, hold no fears for convenience stores. We will continue to promote voluntary measures in this area and to work with Government on the detail of a levy if they decide this is the right way forward.”

The Chancellor also announced today that he would consult on ways to limit the red tape imposed by Government departments on small firms.

Said Lowman: “The Chancellor has promised a reduction in red tape for small businesses, but this is a cheap soundbite we have heard many times before while the burden of red tape continues to grow.

“Sadly this Government is more apt to pander to the media by introducing knee-jerk policies than to consider the impact of new legislation on business. The culture of regulation needs to change in every Government department, rather than just one being assigned to conduct yet another review.”

On the above-inflation increases in alcohol duty, Lowan said: “The Chancellor has inherited his predecessors' tendency to put the interests of criminal bootleggers ahead of the needs to of hard-working businesses.

“By putting up duty on tobacco and alcohol, Mr Darling is widening the differential between the prices in legitimate shops and those charged by illegal bootleggers who pay no tax and have no regard for the laws on responsible selling. This Budget does nothing to tackle this problem.”

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