Online voices

The 5p fee for plastic shopping bags is set to double to 10p in England as the government plans to extend the charge to smaller shops from April 2021.

Chris Lowden: Supermarkets charging this much for plastics bags is a joke. Especially most of the food they sell is wrapped in a plastic bag, we have become a throw away society, years ago butcher's etc would give u meat in a paper bag. I think supermarkets etc should have a sale on cloth bags for a month so its out there and get rid of the plastic bag altogether

Lesley Corrigan: It’ll prompt your memory to bring your bag .. tbh I think shops should just stop having bags all together! Maybe just provide salvaged cardboard boxes for people who are desperately forgetful.

Donna Crawford: It's because fining the customer doesn't bring about change. Try fining the supermarket for each plastic bag and let's see how quickly they come up with a better alternative.

Caroline Peacock: I dont know any shop that charges 5p? They all charge more than that

Sarah Jane: The banned them in New Zealand, we just take our own bags, no drama

Jenny Tulworts: Is this the Government's way of telling supermarkets that at least 10p, of whatever price they charge for bags, must now (allegedly) go to charity?

Rich Outterson: You've obviously not been in Morrisons of late.....

Paula Walton Galvin: In scotland we have always had to pay for even Primarks paper bags but the money is given to childrens charities which i dont mind.

Jim Tansey: It's only 10p. It's not life or death.

Keith Welsh: So it cost you 10p to promote there shops

Stephen L Eastwood: Just put the shopping basket in your car then bring it back next time you go shopping no need for a bag.

Richard Wyles: Do like the Americans and use large paper bags, just as strong.