Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to reduce litter in St Helens.

Local councils are responsible for keeping their public land clear of litter and refuse. The role of Government is to enable and support local action.

Our Litter Strategy for England sets out how we are, among other things, supporting local councils. Progress reports are available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/litter-strategy-for-england-progress-reports.

Our new Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan sets out how we are going further by supporting councils to take tougher action against those who litter. This includes significantly raising the upper limit on fixed penalty notices from £150 to £500, and introducing measures to help councils and others carry out more enforcement activity.