Plastic bag charge set to increase
Defra has announced plans to increase the plastic bag charge to 10p and extend it to all retailers. A consultation will be launched later this year to gather views on the proposals, which aim to help fight plastic pollution.
A 5p charge for single-use plastic bags was introduced in 2015. Bag sales in major supermarkets have since fallen by 86 per cent as a result.
Trade bodies representing 40,000 small retailers have already launched their own voluntary 5p charge, but Defra said this accounts for less than a fifth of England’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.
