To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has estimated the cost of introducing a deposit return scheme for single-use drinks containers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the proposed deposit return scheme on small retailers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has assessed the potential merits of exempting small retailers from the deposit return scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of deposit return schemes on (a) health and safety and (b) hygiene in the retail sector.

The Government will shortly launch its consultation on the introduction of a deposit return scheme (DRS) in England. An impact assessment will be published alongside the consultation, which assesses the social and economic costs and benefits of introducing a DRS, including the impact that a DRS will have on small retailers.

Consideration for small retailers will be included in our consultation. We will also take into account the wider effects of a DRS on the retail sector when we consult.