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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the Environment Agency in (a) investigating and (b) prosecuting incidents of large-scale waste crime.

The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for disrupting and stopping illegal activity through tough enforcement action and prosecution. Defra works closely with the EA to ensure it is equipped to carry out its functions effectively and deliver for the public and the environment. The EA’s total budget for 2025-26 financial year has increased to £2,274 million. This includes £10 million for waste crime enforcement, and for this financial year an additional £5.6 million to tackle waste crime.