Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet series documenting plastic pollution in the seas was credited by the Chancellor as he announced a consultation aimed at cleaning up the oceans by eliminating “throwaway” products.

Philip Hammond said he was “determined that our generation should leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it”, and wanted views on how single-use plastic products could be taxed out of existence.

He said the whole supply chain for products – which include straws, takeaway boxes, coffee cups and cigarette filters – needed to be looked at, with options including alternative materials, reusable products and recycling considered.

However, he emphasised that the consultation would not be a revenue raising exercise.

Instead, Mr Hammond said any new levies would drive behaviour and innovation, with money raised funding the changes.