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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of waste disposal charges on fly-tipping.

In 2021, we commissioned research into the drivers, deterrents and impacts of fly-tipping. It suggested that any friction in the services provided by local authorities, such as charges for waste disposal services, may impact on levels of fly-tipping. The report is available at Science Search (defra.gov.uk).

We believe it is important that local residents are able to dispose of their rubbish in a responsible and convenient manner. That is why last year we consulted on preventing charges for householders to dispose of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres. The government response was published on 18 June and we will be introducing legislation at the end of the year.

In our Waste Prevention Programme: Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste, we have committed to consult by 2025 on removing the fee for consumers to have bulky domestic furniture collected from their homes. This will make it easier for them to do the right thing with their items when they are no longer required.