Plastic bag charge to be doubled to 10p in England

Currently small retailers, which employ 250 people or fewer, are exempt from the levy. But this will end from next year.

Following a public consultation last year, in which the "vast majority" of respondents welcomed the changes, the minimum charge for single-use carrier bags will increase to 10p.

All shops in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including small retailers – already charge a minimum of 5p for plastic bags, and this will stay the same for now.

Retailers are expected to donate the money they collect from plastic bag charges to good causes, after deducting their own costs.

See our MSE blog for 13 ways to use less plastic AND save cash.