THE Liberal Democrats would introduce a 5p charge on disposable coffee cups if they won power.

At present, 2.5 billion disposable cups are thrown away every year in the UK; around seven million every day. However, less than one in 400 is recycled.

The policy would build on the success of the 5p charge on plastic bags introduced by the Lib-Con Coalition Government, which has seen an 85 per cent reduction in plastic bag use since it was brought in and raised at least £29.2 million in England alone during the first six months of the policy being introduced.

The plastic bag charge was first introduced in the UK in Wales in 2011. Northern Ireland followed suit in 2013, Scotland in 2014 and England in 2015.

The Lib Dems say the money raised from the 5p coffee cup charge south of the border would go to charitable causes chosen locally, as is the case with the plastic bag charge, with the encouragement to support environmental charities.

Alongside the proposal, the Liberal Democrats said they would increase recycling and have already promised to pass a Zero Waste Act, which would include a legally-binding recycling target of 70 per cent south of the border.

Wera Hobhouse, the party’s election candidate in Bath, said: "This small change will make a huge difference to our environment.

"Most people purchase their morning coffee and throw away the cup without even thinking about it. Our 5p charge would increase awareness of the environmental impact and change consumer behaviour towards using re-usable cups and mugs.”

Kate Parminter, the Lib Dems’ environment spokeswoman, added: “We brought in the plastic bag charge and it’s proved highly successful; coffee cups are the next logical step.

“For the Liberal Democrats protecting our environment and tackling climate change is a priority. We can and must act.”