Public Support For Tax On Shopping Bags
Almost two thirds of British people support the idea of paying 10p at shops for plastic bags, according to a new report from the MORI Social Research Institute. The survey shows 63% of British people support the idea, compared to 27% who are opposed.
In view of the public's sensitivity to 'stealth' taxation, such widespread support is perhaps surprising. However, the MORI SRI research demonstrates the public is much more sympathetic to new charges if there is a clear environmental benefit and any revenue is ring-fenced for environmental initiatives.
There is backing for the charge from all political perspectives, although it is highest among intending Liberal Democrat voters; 73% support the idea compared to 64% of intending Labour and Conservative voters.
The research offers encouragement for new forms of ecological taxation and the 'Polluter Pays' principle, which financially penalises behaviours which are environmentally harmful while rewarding those that protect the environment.
Philip Downing, head of environmental research at the MORI Social Research Institute, notes "The 'Polluter Pays' principle seems more acceptable than other forms of charging because of its simple logic; penalising 'bad' activities that are undesirable and promoting those which are 'good'".
The result is part of MORI SRI's own environment research, reported in full in the MORI Environment Research Bulletin. Other results include continuing strong opposition to Genetically Modified (GM) food, huge support for renewables over nuclear power, and divided opinions on extending congestion charging to other UK towns and cities.
How strongly, if at all, would you say you support or oppose a 10 pence charge on plastic bags in supermarkets, like in Ireland, to encourage people to re-use bags and reduce plastic waste?
| % | |
|---|---|
| Strongly support | 26 |
| Tend to support | 37 |
| Neither support nor oppose | 9 |
| Tend to oppose | 15 |
| Strongly oppose | 12 |
| Don't know | 1 |
For a copy of the MORI Environment Bulletin, contact Phil Downing or visit the MORI website at www.ipsos-mori.com/environment
Technical details
The Environment Research Bulletin Survey was carried out among a representative quota sample of 2,141 adults aged 15 years +, face-to-face and in-home across 201 sampling points in Great Britain between 6-10 February 2003. All data have been weighted to the known profile of the British Population.
