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Do you pay 5p for a plastic bag or take your own?

The 5p charge on carrier bags is set to be extended under plans to tackle the “throwaway culture” in a 25-year Environment Plan being published later this week.

Corner shops and other retailers with fewer than 250 employees are currently exempted from the charge in England, but Theresa May and Michael Gove will set out plans for the levy to cover almost all plastic bags.

Prime Minister Mrs May said she wanted her Government to take a stand against the “profligate” use of natural resources as she briefed her Cabinet about the plan.

At the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Gove told colleagues that the introduction of the 5p charge on single-use plastic bags had contributed to a reduction of nearly 90% in their use, in a clear demonstration of what can be achieved by targeted official action.

What are your views? Since the introduction of a charge for a plastic bag, are you much more likely to take your own bag shopping with you or are you happy to spend 5p on a plastic bag? Has the charge made you more aware of the environmental issues?  What more do you think the government should be doing to help save the environment?

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