Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fly-tipping

Thursday 9 May 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Nationally, fly-tipping on public land has fallen for the second year in a row, with enforcement actions up by 5%.
  • DEFRA is funding the national rural crime unit to explore the police's role in tackling fly-tipping, working with local authorities.
  • Nearly 1.2 million has been provided to local authorities to combat fly-tipping, including CCTV cameras, fencing, and signage.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Tuckwell
Environment
Context

Fly-tipping is a significant issue affecting local communities, impacting public spaces and necessitating intervention.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to tackle fly-tipping. Fly-tipping fines have more than doubled, but there is still a need for further action to address the detrimental impact on communities.

Answer from Robbie Moore

Nationally, fly-tipping on public land has fallen for the second year in a row, with enforcement actions up by 5%. Fly-tipping fines have more than doubled, and we are expecting local authorities to reinvest that income. We are going further with reforms on how waste carriers are regulated, introducing digital waste tracking to help local authorities crack down on waste crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding or support for fly-tipping hotspots was not addressed.

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Q2 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Environment
Context

There is a need for stricter enforcement and wider publicity to combat fly-tipping.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. What landowners and the public want is for this to stop. I realise that we have doubled the fines—we have massively increased them again—but may I suggest that all cases should be prosecuted and that prosecutions should be publicised widely, both to reassure victims and to deter perpetrators?

Answer from Robbie Moore

I could not agree more; promoting the convictions absolutely reassures victims that the Government and local authorities are taking tough action. DEFRA is funding the national rural crime unit to explore the police's role in tackling fly-tipping, working with local authorities to deal with this crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The proposal for prosecution of all cases was not directly addressed or committed to.

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Q3 Steve Tuckwell
Environment
Context

Community champions and local councils are addressing fly-tipping, but need further funding.

Question

Fly-tipping is a concern for many local residents across Uxbridge and South Ruislip. I pay tribute to Mary in Yiewsley, Bernie in South Ruislip, Wendy in Cowley and Donna from Ruislip Gardens, who act as community champions in reporting regular fly-tipping. The waste service team at Hillingdon Council works tirelessly in responding to regular cases of fly-tipping. However, all this great work can only go so far without further funding.

Answer from Robbie Moore

We have provided nearly £1.2 million to help local authorities combat fly-tipping, including around 200 CCTV cameras, fencing, signage, mobile tips, with a further £1 million due shortly to tackle these hotspots.

Answered
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