I am delighted that the 5p charge for plastic bags has already proved to be a huge success, not only for our environment but also for charities and community groups across the country that have benefitted from over £29 million that has been raised so far.

Around eight million tonnes of plastic makes its way into oceans each year, posing a serious threat to our natural and marine environment, and taking those six billion plastic bags out of circulation is fantastic news for all of us. 

It will mean our precious marine life is safer, our communities are cleaner and that we fulfil our ambition to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than the last since the Industrial Revolution.