Context
MP highlighted the Jameson Road landfill site in her constituency which has been producing toxic smells causing health issues for residents. She noted that the Environment Agency lacks sufficient staff to deal with such issues due to years of funding cuts.
Question
Fourteen years of Conservative cuts have stripped the Environment Agency of the resources and the staff it needs to properly deal with badly managed landfill sites blighting communities like mine. The Jameson Road landfill site in my constituency of Blackpool North and Fleetwood has been producing toxic stenches for more than a year now, causing nosebleeds, headaches, vomiting and breathing problems for my residents. Will the Prime Minister commit to ensuring that the Environment Agency has the staff and resources to police such badly managed sites across the country, so that it can act swiftly and effectively to protect communities like mine?
Answer from The Prime Minister (Keir Starmer)
I love the fact that when anyone says 14 years of a Conservative Government, Opposition Members all go, “Oh no.” That is how the country feels. Once again, a hard-working Labour MP is clearing up the mess that was left behind. My hon. Friend’s residents deserve far better, and we expect rapid improvements. We are closely monitoring air quality and will not hesitate to take further action. She is right that we must tackle rogue operators who blight our communities. That is why we have boosted Environment Agency funding by £188 million, alongside tough new rules on incinerators and commercial fly-tippers.
Not addressed: The PM did not provide a direct commitment to ensure the Environment Agency has adequate staff and resources for policing badly managed sites. Instead, he highlighted that funding had been increased but did not address specific resource allocation or staffing levels needed for immediate action.
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