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Waste Crime: Staffordshire
05 September 2024
Lead MP
Adam Jogee
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Lab
Responding Minister
Mary Creagh
Tags
Employment
Word Count: 13829
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Adam Jogee raised concerns about waste crime: staffordshire in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government needs to update the resources and waste strategy, assess the adequacy of existing offences related to waste crime, and introduce a fit and proper person test for landfill operators. The Environment Agency must enforce closure notices and ensure that offenders pay for restoration costs.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The true scale of waste crime is difficult to quantify with approximately 18% of all waste being illegally managed. Waste crimes cost the economy an estimated £1 billion per year, leading to evaded taxes and environmental harm. Walleys Quarry landfill in Newcastle-under-Lyme has been a persistent issue with over 100 permit breaches and frequent complaints from constituents. Hydrogen sulphide emissions have had significant health impacts on local residents.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
The smell from Walleys Quarry has extended into Northwood region causing harm to farmers and impacting residents' health, especially young children. The saleability of homes in affected areas is also reduced. Although cost and finances are important considerations, actions addressing air quality and waste can save money in the long run by reducing health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping are often linked to organised crime, necessitating preventive policing alongside local government and regulatory efforts.
Dave Robertson
Con
Lichfield
Voluntary organisations such as those in Lichfield, Burntwood Litter Heroes and Lichfield Litter Legends deserve support and respect for all the work they do to keep communities tidy alongside Keep Britain Tidy. Paid tribute to the organisations in his constituency, including Lichfield Litter Legends. Raised concerns about fly-tipping as a top environmental challenge. Around seven years ago, a similar site in Lichfield city experienced fly-tipping and arson that took eight appliances and 65 firefighters to manage. This is an ongoing issue across Staffordshire.
Gareth Snell
Lab Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Discussed waste crime in Walleys Quarry and its impact on local residents, including health issues. Mentioned the £10 million cost to clear a site in his constituency that was stuffed with illegal waste. Emphasized the need for robust enforcement measures and sufficient funding for agencies like the Environment Agency. Further to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme, there have been 10 years of data since 2010 when he was in his constituency surgeries and could smell the smell from the quarry. What more did the former Minister believe he would need to give a closure notice?
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The complexity of addressing waste crime means that urgent action is difficult, and new legislation with punitive fines hitting offenders hard may be necessary. The viewpoints of the hon. Gentleman's constituents must not be forgotten.
Olly Glover
Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
I congratulate the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on organising the debate, highlighting the significant problem of 34 million tonnes or 18% of waste being illegally disposed of with a £1 billion cost since 2019. The hon. Member also showed the passion that his community has for dealing with waste while working collaboratively.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Fly-tipping is a significant issue in North Warwickshire, attributed to organised crime from neighbouring areas. Public awareness campaigns are needed to inform residents about reporting waste crimes effectively.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Robbie Moore emphasised the significant costs of waste crime to local communities, referencing a £1 billion annual impact on the English economy from evaded tax, environmental harm, and lost business. He discussed Walleys Quarry in Newcastle-under-Lyme, expressing sympathy for affected residents and businesses, highlighting health issues due to toxic fumes since 2012. Moore urged the closure of the site and criticised the Environment Agency's inadequate actions and monitoring failures.
Sarah Edwards
Con
Tamworth
Last year the Environment Agency released its national waste crime survey results for 2023, which found that 86% of farmers surveyed were affected by fly-tipping. In Tamworth, residents have raised frustrations about the damage it causes to the countryside and the harm it can cause to nature. Joined her colleagues in highlighting the issue of waste crime and its impact on Staffordshire communities.
Government Response
Mary Creagh
Government Response
The minister responded to concerns about waste crime in Staffordshire, noting that the system inherited was broken due to cuts and outdated practices. She committed to addressing illegal dumping by forcing fly-tippers and vandals to clean up their mess. The Government will introduce a circular economy strategy to reduce waste and increase investment in green jobs. There are 320 known active illegal waste sites, with 141 high risk. In Staffordshire, all 21 substantiated illegal sites have been stopped from operating within three months of being reported. A meeting with the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme will be arranged to address Walleys Quarry's issues.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.