Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Hayward (Conservative). It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Monday, 9 September 2019.

Charities: Plastic Bag Charges

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 17 July (HL Deb, col 232), how much income charities would have received since 17 July had a plastic bag charge on small and medium-sized enterprises been introduced.

Answer: My Lords, there is no legal requirement for businesses to donate the proceeds from the charge to charities; businesses are encouraged to donate. The Government’s proposals are at consultation stage and have always been due to come into effect in 2020. As such, charities have not lost any income from the charge. Our initial impact assessment estimates that small and medium-sized businesses, after deducting reasonable business costs, could generate approximately £59 million for good causes in the first full year.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 799 cc1283-5
Session: 2017-19
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Plastic Bag Charge
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Oral answers to questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Charities Fees and charges Income Small businesses Plastic bags
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk