Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fly-tipping

Thursday 14 November 2024 · 6 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Fly-tipping has increased across the country due to Conservative failures, leaving streets and parks filled with dumped waste at taxpayer expense.
  • One fixed penalty notice is inadequate for the scale of the problem; low rates mean it's a consequence-free crime.
  • The Minister hopes to establish clean-up squads and force offenders to join in, supporting tougher sentences for fly-tippers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Environment
Context

The MP raised concerns about fly-tipping increasing after years of Conservative failure, resulting in dumped rubbish and imposing costs on taxpayers and businesses.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle fly-tipping. The Member for Stafford noted that fly-tipping has increased across the country due to Conservative failures, leaving streets and parks filled with dumped waste at taxpayer expense.

Answer from Mary Creagh

Fly-tipping has increased after years of Conservative failure. The new Labour Government aims to end our throwaway society by increasing recycling rates, reducing waste, and cracking down on waste crime.

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Q2 Rachel Taylor Lab North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Policing & Resources Local Government Environment
Context

The MP highlighted that only one fixed penalty notice was issued out of 912 fly-tipping incidents recorded by the local council, costing farmers heavily.

Question

Does the Minister agree that more must be done by the council to prosecute incidents of fly-tipping? The Member for North Warwickshire and Bedworth mentioned a low rate of fixed penalty notices and prosecutions despite high fly-tipping cases in her constituency, imposing costs on local businesses and farmers.

Answer from Mary Creagh

One fixed penalty notice is inadequate for the scale of the problem; low rates mean it's a consequence-free crime. The Minister hopes her council will work with them to improve its record.

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Q3 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Environment
Context

The MP noted that incidents of fly-tipping are now double the national average, despite efforts by local initiatives like Sandwell Litter Watch.

Question

Will the Minister set out further how the Government are working with councils to catch and punish these dreadful fly-tippers? The Member for West Bromwich highlighted the problem in Sandwell, where incidents of fly-tipping are double the national average, despite efforts by local initiatives.

Answer from Mary Creagh

We will establish clean-up squads and force offenders to join in. The National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group has produced a guide for robust prosecutions, supporting tougher sentences. Further options are being explored with the Ministry of Justice.

Answered
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Q4 Christopher Bloore Lab Redditch
Policing & Resources Local Government Environment
Context

The MP reported over 1,500 incidents of fly-tipping in his constituency with only one fixed penalty notice issued.

Question

Can the Minister tell us more about how she hopes to work with local authorities like mine to ensure that the people committing these crimes are brought to justice? The Member for Redditch reported over 1,500 incidents of rural fly-tipping in his constituency, with only one fixed penalty notice given.

Answer from Mary Creagh

The Minister hopes that the new Labour administration will take the problem seriously. Proposals to tighten waste permit exemptions are being considered, and she is happy to discuss this with his council.

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Q5 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Environment
Context

The MP expressed frustration among constituents over persistent illegal dumping of waste.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss how her Department is cleaning up the mess left by the last Government and how the proposed measures will directly address fly-tipping and improve the situation for my constituents? The Member for Stafford noted that residents are frustrated with persistent illegal dumping, impacting health and wellbeing.

Answer from Mary Creagh

The Minister is concerned about serious incidents in his constituency and is actively considering how to review the regime. She will be happy to meet him to hear his input.

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Q6 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Environment
Context

The MP noted that taxpayers have paid half a million pounds to clean up illegal waste sites over the last two years, equivalent to the cost of 15 nurses' wages.

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs back home in Northern Ireland about the cost associated with fly-tipping? The Member for Strangford highlighted the high costs incurred by taxpayers in cleaning up illegal waste sites over two years.

Answer from Mary Creagh

The Minister met her colleague from DAERA at an inter-ministerial group and is working with the National Farmers Union and others to promote good practice, including on private land.

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