Plastic straws and drink stirrers will be banned in England following overwhelming public support after an open consultation was launched last year.

The ban, which also includes plastic stemmed cotton buds, will come into force in April 2020. However, Government has confirmed it will include exceptions to ensure those with a medical needs or a disability are able to continue to access plastic straws.

The government’s response to the consultation published this week reveals over 80% of respondents backed a ban on the distribution and sale of plastic straws; 90% a ban on drinks stirrers, and 89% a ban on cotton buds.

Under the new laws, catering establishments such as restaurants, pubs and bars will not be able to display plastic straws or automatically hand them out, but they will be able to provide them on request.

The government said that this “strikes the right balance” between reducing environmental impact while protecting the rights of people with medical conditions and disabilities.

The government will carry out a stocktake after one year to assess the impact of these measures and whether the balance is correct.

“Urgent and decisive action is needed to tackle plastic pollution and protect our environment. These items are often used for just a few minutes but take hundreds of years to break down, ending up in our seas and oceans and harming precious marine life,” said Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

“So today I am taking action to turn the tide on plastic pollution, and ensure we leave our environment in a better state for future generations.”