Waste Crime: Staffordshire

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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.