Introduction of new 10p plastic bag charge in small shops delayed to May

The changes to plastic bag charge regulations will take effect on 21 May, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has said.

The charge will increase to 10p in England and extend to all retailers, but the DEFRA has earlier confirmed that the implementation would be delayed from the previously expected 30 April due to issues with the parliamentary timetable.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) today revealed that the department has now confirmed the new date in a communication to the trade body this morning (April 28), attributing the delay to “the current restrictions on government communications as a result of the pre-election period, and to give businesses more time to prepare.”

In England, the plastic bag charge is being extended to all retailers for the first time. The current 5p charge applies to retailers employing over 250 people. Businesses of any size already charge for plastic bags in Wales and Scotland.

The amendment to the Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015 continues to provide smaller retailers with an exemption from reporting bags issued. Retailers with over 250 employees are required by law to record and report how many bags they sell.