All stores will be required to apply the new charge. Previously only retailers with 250 employees or more needed to do so.

The single-use carrier bag charge has seen a 95% cut in plastic bag sales in major supermarkets since 2015. As a result of the charge, the average person in England now buys just four single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared with 140 in 2014.

The government says that by extending the charge to all retailers, it is expected that the use of single-use carrier bags will decrease by 70 to 80% in small and medium-sized businesses.

Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “The introduction of the 5p charge has been a phenomenal success, driving down sales of harmful plastic bags in supermarkets by a remarkable 95%. 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, as we work together to build back greener and strengthen our world-leading action to combat the scourge of plastic waste.”

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “We strongly welcome the inclusion of local shops and other small businesses into the successful plastic bag charging scheme, which not only helps the environment, but is also a great way for retailers to raise money for local and national charities.”

A new report published today from charity WRAP finds a shift in attitude towards plastic bags since the charge was first brought in. The survey found that close to seven in 10 (69%) were either ‘strongly’ or ‘slightly’ in favour of the charge when it was first introduced, and that has now increased to 73%.

Of those surveyed, two in three (67%) said they used a ‘bag-for-life’ – either fabric or more durable plastic – to take their shopping home for a large food shop in store, with only 14% using a single-use carrier bag.

Only one in four (26%) purchase bags from the till when doing food shops – including 4% who say they do this ‘always’. This represents a significant fall since 2014 before the charge was introduced, when more than twice as many (57%) reported taking plastic carrier bags from the till. Meanwhile, more than half (54%) say they take less bags from the till.