Plastic bag charge 'to double to 10p and affect smaller businesses'
1 min read
Ministers are set to double the the 5p tax on plastic shopping bags to 10p, according to reports.
The initial charge, introduced in 2015, has been credited with a massive decline in the use of plastic bags.
But it is thought smaller retailers will also be affected by the new charge.
Previously, firms and shops with less than 250 employees have been exempt from the scheme.
Theresa May and Environment Secretary Michael Gove are said to have already privately approved a move to hike the charge.
Last month “the big seven” supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, said there had been an 86% decrease in plastic bag usage since the scheme was rolled out.
Donations from the bag levy to charity amounted to £58.5 million, according to figures voluntarily released by the retailers.
Ministers have previously signalled plans to ban the sale of plastic straws and cotton buds.
A consultation on introducing a “latte levy” on coffee cups to reduce waste is also ongoing.
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