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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will announce plans to (1) counter the illegal dumping of waste, and (2) remove such waste.

The Government has announced its plans to reform both the waste carriers, brokers and dealers regime and the waste permit exemptions regime. This will make it harder for rogue operators to find work in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals. In addition, our planned digital waste tracking reforms will make it harder than ever to mis-identify waste or dispose of it inappropriately. We have also increased the Environment Agency’s total budget for 2025 to 2026. This includes £15.6 million for waste crime enforcement – a more than 50% increase from 2024/25.

Neither the Government nor local authorities should be held responsible for the associated costs of clearing up after waste criminals as to do so may risk creating a perverse incentive for some people to dump, or facilitate the dumping of, waste. Those who pollute - rather than taxpayers - should cover the costs of clean up. The Environment Agency is not funded to clear illegal waste sites; however, action may be taken if there is an immediate, significant risk to health or the environment.