London shopping bag ban dropped

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Proposals to introduce a ban on plastic shopping bags in London have been withdrawn by council leaders.

The London Local Authorities (Shopping Bag) Bill was due to go before Parliament on Wednesday.

But London Councils - the umbrella body for the city's 33 councils - dropped the measure after ministers pledged a minimum charge on plastic bags.

Ministers hope the charge will lead retailers to cut the number of bags they offer and reduce consumer demand.

'Depth of feeling'

About 1.6bn bags are used in London every year and only one in 200 of these is recycled, said London Councils.

Merrick Cockell, of London Councils, said the aim of the city-wide ban was to rid the capital of the "environmental blight" of plastic bags.

"We are accepting the government at its word, and fully expect them to take action against retailers should they fail to reduce numbers voluntarily," said Mr Cockell.

"The government must never forget the depth of public feeling on this issue. We will continue to hold them to account should they fail to deliver on their promise."

But critics have pointed to Scotland and Ireland where they said the ban did not produce clear environmental benefit.