To introduce in London a prohibition on the supply of certain bags by retailers, to confer powers upon local authorities in London to enforce the prohibition; and for related purposes.
The Bill introduces a prohibition on the distribution of free, throw-away shopping bags by retailers in the capital, and gives powers to local authorities to enforce this. Some exemptions apply:small bags used to contain any unpackaged food for human or animal consumption bags used for packaging any goods and sealed before the goods are offered for retail sale or supplybags sold for use by the customer away from the premises at which they are soldbags provided to the customer for the transmission of goods to the retailerbags designed to be used for the disposal of wastebags used to contain goods sold on board a ship, aircraft, train or bus used for carrying passengers.
House of Commons
27 November 2008
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Private Bill would ban retailers in London from distributing free throw-away shopping bags and give local authorities in London the power to enforce the ban. Some bags would still be allowed under exemptions, such as bags for packaging food, bags sealed before sale, bags sold for use away from the premises, bags for transmitting goods to the retailer, bags for waste disposal, and bags used on board passenger‑carrying ships, aircraft, trains or buses. The bill originated in the House of Commons and is currently at the 2nd Reading in the Commons.
The bill is at the 2nd Reading stage in the Commons. It originated as a Private Bill introduced in 2007-08, and there have been petitions against it.
Generated 21 February 2026
27 Nov 2007
22 Jan 2008
On 25 November 2008 the parliamentary agents requested on behalf of the promoter that the bill be withdrawn.
The second reading of the Bill has been repeatedly opposed. A blocking motion has been tabled which, while it remains in place, will effectively prevent the bill receiving a second reading until a debate is held. The table above shows the progress of the Bill and the next date the motion will be taken formally, to be rescheduled for a later date until a debate is held. No date for a debate has yet been agreed.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
