Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change
I have requested, and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has agreed, to introduce an amendment, within the current legislative process, to clause 56 and schedule 9 of the Environment Bill in respect of powers to charge for single use plastic items. The amendment will ensure Welsh Ministers will have the same powers as the Secretary of State, to charge for all single use items, regardless of their material.
This amendment would make provision in relation to Wales for a purpose within the legislative competence of the Senedd. Ordinarily a Supplementary Memorandum would be laid, but as the Bill is now in the consideration of amendments stage and the Senedd is currently in Recess, there is insufficient time to facilitate a usual Senedd debate ahead of the expected end of the scrutiny process for the Bill.