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Naish spoke about recent experiences in his constituency with waste crime, including a fire at an industrial estate that caused health impacts for the local community. He emphasised the need for different agencies to work more effectively together and take proper accountability.
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Snowden highlighted his previous role as Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner where he documented connections between waste sites and organised crime gangs. He underlined the importance of a multi-agency response, noting that the police often have to escort other agencies for protection.
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McCarthy raised concerns about modern slavery within the waste crime sector and emphasised the need to hold accountable those higher up the chain rather than just those caught in the act, who are often exploited or forced into such activities.
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Jermy supported the proposals and highlighted the impact of waste crime on farmers. He suggested that fines could be directed more towards clear-up costs to match the scale of crimes committed, aiding affected communities.
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Snowden noted a cultural issue within regulation enforcement where companies abiding by the law face regular visits and small fines, while flagrant criminals evade inspections due to difficulty and aggression in dealing with them. He emphasised the importance of targeting those breaking laws.
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Barclay asked for more details on key metrics relating to prosecutions concerning organised crime, expressing interest in assessing the effectiveness of changes made by the Government.
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Naish reiterated his previous point about the need for immediate action against illegal activities. He highlighted delays between Environment Agency wanting to take action and obtaining a court order, suggesting that courts should be more responsive.
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The current system for regulating waste transport and control needs updating to ensure safe management without undue burden on businesses. The SI aims to tackle waste crime, but raises concerns about implementation costs (£187 million in permit fees over the appraisal period), familiarisation (£50 million), application, audit, training and technical competence requirements (£190 million). There is significant uncertainty regarding the net present value of £340 million negative impact. The speaker calls for monitoring and evaluation to ensure benefits outweigh costs and to check cumulative impacts on smaller operators. They ask for guidance and support ahead of implementation and prompt responses to permit applications, targeted enforcement against rogue operators, and earlier updates on compliance costs and waste crime reductions.
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The hon. Member for Hemsworth raised concerns about the inadequate regulation and enforcement of environmental sites in his constituency, specifically mentioning a problematic site known as the 'ash pit' where waste management practices have been non-compliant with licences granted years ago. He highlighted that the site now poses significant risks to local communities due to noxious materials, pollution of watercourses, and unbearable odours during hot weather conditions. Trickett emphasised the need for proactive regulation rather than reactive measures, urging the Environment Agency (EA) to be adequately resourced and empowered to enforce regulations effectively. He questioned whether the EA would have the authority under new procedures to revoke licences if operators fail to resolve issues promptly and called on the Minister to address how abandoned sites with significant environmental liabilities can be managed without burdening taxpayers.
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The Liberal Democrats support the statutory instrument that replaces a registration scheme for waste transporters with a permitting regime, which allows risk-based regulation. However, it does not address the enforcement failure and lack of action against organised criminal gangs involved in waste crime. The speaker calls for more effective penalties, better coordination among authorities, rewards for information leading to prosecutions, and a single national reporting route.
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The regulations are welcomed as an overdue attempt to curb waste crime. The new operator at the Hespin Wood site has turned it into a mountain of non-compliant waste, impacting local residents' health and quality of life. The speaker supports the dismantling of the old registration model for waste carriers, brokers and dealers, introducing stricter background checks, transparency measures, and heavy penalties to tackle illegal activities.
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Discussed the impact of waste crime, especially fly-tipping, in his constituency. Welcomed new robust regulations that will require background and competence checks for those handling waste. Highlighted a personal story involving an elderly constituent who was exploited by a criminal and ended up paying the price under the current system. Paid tribute to the environmental protection team at Cannock Chase district council. Emphasised the need for stronger powers for the Environment Agency, including the ability to revoke permits. Mentioned discussions with business owners in Hednesford and Rugeley who face waste crime on their high streets.
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Addressed cost concerns raised by Conservative MPs, explaining that legitimate businesses will be brought into compliance to start paying tax. Mentioned the £159 million benefit for businesses from reduced waste crime and discussed exemptions for charities but not small businesses due to significant waste crime risk. Spoke about the independent resources and waste policy programme evaluation that will report in March 2029. Described persistent issues with a specific site causing odour pollution, highlighting actions taken by the Environment Agency including monitoring and inspections. Announced statutory guidance issued to councils on using powers to seize and crush vehicles involved in waste crime.