Minister open to bags levy

ENVIRONMENT Minister Roseanna Cunningham has promised the Scottish Government will keep an "open mind" on a plastic bags tax.

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle, a keen advocate of a bags tax, tabled a parliamentary question asking what target had been set for reducing plastic bag use, given that the Welsh Assembly was to introduce a levy on all disposable plastic bags.

Ms Cunningham told him the Scottish Government remained committed to the current voluntary agreement with retailers which had cut the number of plastic carrier bags used in Scotland.

She added: "We are closely monitoring progress and considering possible further measures, such as new targets, and we will keep an open mind regarding legislation."