Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to announce that the plastic bag charge in the UK is set to rise to 10p and be extended to all retailers as part of plans to tackle plastic pollution. Currently shops that employ more than 250 people have to charge at least 5p per bag.

Disposable carrier bags issued by the seven biggest supermarket chains have declined by 86 per cent since the charge was introduced in 2015, official figures showed.

Donations from the bag levy to good causes amounted to over £58.5m, based on figures from two-thirds of the retailers who voluntarily reported the information.

Ministers also previously announced an intention to ban the sale of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds and plans for a deposit return scheme to increase recycling rates of drinks bottles and cans.

Earlier this year government scientists found the number of plastic bags found on the seabed around the UK had plummeted, suggesting efforts to combat plastic pollution was working.

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