Nicola Sturgeon announced her new Cabinet of new and experienced Scottish Government ministers NICOLA Sturgeon has unveiled the 10-strong Cabinet team which will lead Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic and help bring about an independent Scotland. The gender-balanced Cabinet is two members smaller than its predecessor and sees Humza Yousaf appointed as Health Secretary, moving from the justice brief, while Kate Forbes takes on an expanded role of Finance and Economy Secretary. Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Education Cabinet Secretary with a key aim of tackling the attainment gap between pupils from well-off and lower income families. Former SNP depute leader and newly elected MSP for Edinburgh Central Angus Robertson takes on the key role of Constitution Secretary with the post also covering culture, post-Brexit and external relations.
April 1, 2021, 12:03 am
Friends of the Earth Scotland says there was a 80% reduction in the number of plastic bags given out during the first year of the charge (PA)
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An increase in the charge for single-use carrier bags has come into force in a move welcomed by a leading environmental group.
The cost has risen from 5p per bag to 10p after the initiative was backed by MSPs earlier this year.
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Single-use plastic bag charge doubles to 10p in Scotland
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Rules to increase the minimum cost of single-use carrier bags in Scotland to 10p have come into force.
MSPs backed a move to double the 5p price earlier this year but it was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish government has said it is important to increase the charge periodically to encourage the use of reusable options instead.
The 5p charge was introduced in 2014, with plastic bag usage dropping by 80% by the following year.
The price increase has been backed by environmental groups.
Friends of the Earth Scotland s Sarah Moyes said: The huge success of the charge so far in cutting plastic waste shows the importance of targeted government action in protecting the environment.