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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2018 to Question 132299 on Plastic Bags: Fees and Charges, whether retailers are obliged to redistribute all of the revenue they raise from the 5p carrier bag charge to good causes; and if he will take steps to ensure that all of the £94.8 million raised so far by the ten largest retailers is redistributed for such purposes.

As this is not a tax, the UK Government does not determine where the proceeds of the charge are redistributed. We expect retailers to donate the proceeds of the charge (after deducting VAT and reasonable costs) to good causes such as charities or community groups. The costs of the bags themselves cannot be deducted from the revenue.

The Single Use Carrier Bags Charges (England) Order 2015 is due for review before 5 October 2020, which will require an assessment of cost and benefits. Any changes to amend the policy ahead of this timeframe will be considered as part of the Government’s forthcoming Resources and Waste Strategy.