Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on how much has been raised by retailers since the introduction of the 5p charge for single use carrier bags; and what information his Department holds on the schemes proceeds from that charge have gone to.

Since the charge was introduced in England, retailers have donated proceeds of approximately £95 million towards a variety of good causes covering the arts, education, environment, health, heritage and sports as well as local causes chosen by customers or staff.