Under the extension, all stores including corner shops will now have to apply the charge. Previously, only businesses with 250 employees or more were obliged to levy the charge per bag, while smaller shops could choose to do so voluntarily.
The levy on single-use bags has been a success in curbing their widespread use. The 5p charge for plastic bags was introduced in England in 2015, with the most recent figures showing the number of single-use bags distributed by large supermarkets has fallen by more than 95 per cent. The average person in England now buys just four single-use bags a year, compared to around 140 in 2014.
A survey in December 2020 for waste and resources body Wrap found 73 per cent of consumers supported the levy. However, the same poll found that 26 per cent of consumers still bought single-use bags at the till when shopping for food.
By extending the charge to all retailers, it is expected the uptake of single-use carrier bags will...