Gordon Brown has called for businesses and supermarkets to phase out the use of plastic bags, despite nearly 1m branded bags being handed out by government departments last year.

The figures, obtained through parliamentary questions, show that more than £90,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent on bags promoting departments and state bodies. Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles called it "the height of hypocrisy".

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In his speech the Prime Minister spoke highly about Ikea, which removed single-use plastic bags from its stores last July, and Marks & Spencer, who recently announced it will charge 5p for each plastic bag used.

In an article in the Daily Mail, Brown said: "I want to make clear that if Government compulsion is needed to make the change, we will take the necessary steps.

"We do not take such steps lightly - but the damage that single-use plastic bags inflict on the environment is such that strong action must be taken."

(CD/JM)