Written question asked by Barry Sheerman (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 April 2022. It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Friday, 22 April 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Plastic Bags: Taxation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money was raised from the Plastic Bag Charge in the last calendar year; and how much of that amount was directed to charitable causes.

Answer: During 2020/21, retailers reported they collected £24.8 million in gross proceeds from the single use carrier bag charge. Despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers voluntarily reported that £10.9 million was donated to good causes, contributing to the £190 million donated since the charge was introduced in 2015. Whilst not required by legislation, once retailers have deducted reasonable costs for administration, it is expected they will donate all proceeds to good causes, particularly environmental causes.

Secondary information