Michael Meacher has revealed the government is set to introduce a nine pence tax on plastic shopping bags in a bid to reduce litter and promote recycling.

The environment minister told today's Guardian that he has called for a report on a similar scheme in Ireland within three months, as part of a package including anti-litter and anti-graffiti wardens with powers to impose on the spot fines.

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the BRC told ePolitix.com: "Our members firmly support the government's desire to tackle the problem of litter and indeed many BRC members are involved in projects such as the National Waste Awareness Initiative Rethink Rubbish Campaign to educate consumers on a whole range of waste and litter issues.

"However, the BRC would not welcome the Irish carrier bay tax in the UK in it's current form as this does not take into account the implications on the existing recycling processes."