The government has announced that plastic bag prices will rise to 10p in all shops from May 21, after delaying the measure last month.
Currently, retailers in England only need to charge 5p for a plastic bag if they have more than 250 employees.
The change had been scheduled for April 30, but the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) moved it back to give businesses time to prepare.
The new measure could apparently reduce the number of single-use carrier bags in smaller stores by 70 to 80 per cent.
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“The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a remarkable 95 per cent,” environment minister Rebecca Pow said.
“We know we must go further to protect our natural environment and oceans, which is why we are now extending this charge to all businesses.
“Over the next couple of weeks I urge all retailers of all sizes to make sure they are ready for the changes.”
“We strongly welcome the inclusion of local shops and other small businesses into the successful plastic bag charging scheme,” the Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman added.
He said the move “helps the environment” and is “a great way for retailers to raise money for local and national charities.”
Shops of any size in Scotland and Wales already charge for plastic bags.
The announcement comes after the Co-op called on the government to introduce a 50p charge on bags-for-life, claiming many customers treat them as disposable.
