Baby essential to be banned under new plans after 11 BILLION are thrown away in a year

WET wipes are set to be banned to stop them clogging sewer pipes.

The move emerged as the Government told advertising watchdogs to challenge some firms who say their wipes are flushable when many are not.

They will be ordered to carry out tests to prove their claims. Plastic-free wipes which do break down will be exempt from any ban.

Currently 11billion wet wipes are used every year in the UK. They are indispensable for parents with small children but are not eco-friendly.

Nine in ten contain plastic.

Boots and Tesco have already banned ­plastic-based wipes in a bid to stop tiny particles ending up in our water.

The Department for the Environment proposals will also include banning chemicals which end up damaging the waterway network.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey will unveil the plans as part of a new water strategy.

Firms who pump out sewage will face unlimited fines, rather than a £250,000 cap, as The Sun revealed last month.

The cash will be reinvested in waterways, with more checks and tougher targets.

Last year there were 300,000 sewage discharges at hundreds of sites across England alone.

Ms Coffey said yesterday: “I completely understand the concerns that people have about the health and resilience of our waters.

“This is not straightforward, but I take this issue extremely seriously and things need to change.”