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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Owen Hughes

Welsh Government suspends 5p plastic bag charge for home deliveries and collection services

Welsh Government has implemented legislation which temporarily removes the carrier bag levy for home deliveries and click and collect orders of groceries during the coronavirus crisis.

This comes as grocery retailers have seen a surge in demand for online orders over recent weeks.

The amendment to legislation sees the bag levy temporarily removed for three months.

The charge still applies for plastic bags bought at supermarkets and other stores.

Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: “As self-isolation increases, its increasingly likely that home deliveries of food and other items will be left on doorsteps.

"Dropping goods off in carrier bags in this way speeds up deliveries, and ensures more orders can be dealt with.

"Welsh Ministers have already moved with breakneck speed to back businesses grappling with the immense challenges created by coronavirus, including relaxing rules on delivery times to stores and warehouses.

"This temporary suspension of the carrier bag levy for online orders is similarly a hugely positive and practical step and we are delighted Ministers have listened.”

Ms Jones added: "There has been a surge in demand for online deliveries during the ongoing pandemic. Retailers are working incredibly hard to expand capacity for online deliveries, but as this accounts for around 7% of total food sales, physical stores will remain by far the most important way of getting food.

"Everyone must come together in the current crisis and we encourage everyone to consider, if they can, picking up food for vulnerable or self-isolating neighbours.”

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