7. 7. Debate: The Circular Economy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:51 pm on 17 October 2017.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 4:51, 17 October 2017

Yes, I think that is something, certainly, that we can consider. As I said, you’ll be aware that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government produced that shortlist of possible taxes, and that’s one of them. So we are going to be exploring options for a tax or a levy on disposable plastics. So that’s part of the conversation that we can be having.

Just turning now to Brexit, obviously we recognise as a Government that we will need a Bill to provide clarity and certainty for citizens and businesses as Brexit takes effect, going forward. And we accept there will be a need to make some amendments so the existing law is workable in the new context of the UK being outside the EU. We’ve made it repeatedly clear that any Bill brought forward must respect the devolution settlements and, as colleagues are aware, the First Minister has made it very clear that the current drafting of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill places significant new constraints on the Assembly’s ability to legislate effectively after Brexit on matters that are currently dealt with in Brussels. I think this is particularly the case for resource efficiency and recycling targets, and we’ve absolutely proven that setting them in Welsh legislation achieves the necessary results. As I said at the outset, we’re doing so much better than the other UK countries in this regard.

So, in conclusion, Llywydd, a more resource-efficient economy will help make our businesses more resilient and competitive in the future. It will create jobs, it will bring more social and environmental benefits, and we are absolutely committed to taking action to achieve this, and I look forward to Members’ contributions.