Battle of the bags over a 5p charge

THE FRIDAY THING: JUST when we were beginning to think it was safe to nip into the supermarket to use the magic eye that tells us how much everything is worth and what it weighs, we are to be confronted by another menace.

And this one could lead to fisticuffs over the fancy bread, frozen chips, beans and bacon.

The simple supermarket plastic bag is to blame, for what is happening is that supermarkets will have to charge 5p for bags from next month.

The 5p charge, from October 5, faces accusations that it will confuse customers and lead to arguments at the checkout.

The charge is being introduced as part of a government policy to reduce waste by cutting bag use by up to 80 per cent in supermarkets and by half on the high street, with the aim of reducing litter and protecting wildlife.

The new rules are likely to baffle shoppers and cashiers alike, as till operators will be the ones to decide whether the charge must be paid.

It sounds to me like the perfect excuse to start a mini war over the iced-buns, bottles of beer or beef joints. Shopping in supermarkets is already tiresome enough.

It will be even more irritating than the “unexpected item in the bagging area” mantra at the self-checkout.

In some parts of the UK supermarket customers have already encountered the 5p bag, and shops have been putting collection tins for shoppers to put their 5ps into a charity box on the counter.

It works in Wales where there is probably a Welsh army with real concerns about 5p bags and serious concerns about the possibility of fights at the check-out.

Why can’t people just leave well enough alone instead of inciting a shopping bag war? Watch this space and take your own bags to Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the rest, but be prepared for a battle or two.