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).
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
