Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL]
The Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 12 February 2025.
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A briefing on fly-tipping in England, covering law and responsibilities for it, calls for change and proposals for reform.
Fly-tipping: the illegal dumping of waste (394 KB , PDF)
Fly-tipping is the illegal disposal of household, industrial, commercial or other ‘controlled’ waste. The waste can be liquid or solid. ‘Controlled’ waste includes garden refuse and larger domestic items such as fridges and mattresses.
Fly-tipping is not the same as littering. Littering is commonly assumed to include materials, often associated with smoking, eating and drinking. More information on litter can be found in the Commons Library briefing on litter.
The most recent Government Fly-tipping statistics for England, 2021/22 show that:
Local authorities and the Environment Agency have legal powers to require landowners to clear fly-tipped waste from their land. They also have powers to enter the land and clear it and may seek reimbursement for costs related to it.
There is currently no minimum fine set out in law for unlawfully depositing waste under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the independent courts. Other available penalties include the issue of a fixed penalty notices and having a vehicle seized. Householders can be fined up to £600 if they pass their waste to an unlicensed waste carrier which is subsequently fly-tipped.
Concern has been raised about the costs involved to private landowners of clearing fly tipped waste from their land and several campaigns have been launched calling for change in this area.
The UK Government has announced plans to introduce mandatory digital waste tracking from April 2025. A digital waste tracking system would require those who produce, handle, dispose of or make products from waste, to enter information onto it. Among other things it aims to enable regulators to better detect illegal activity and tackle waste crime, including fly-tipping.
The UK Government has also consulted on plans to reform the waste carrier, broker and dealer registration system to introduce requirements for environmental permits in that sector. One of the aims of this is to ensure waste is managed by authorised persons only and in a safe manner, to reduce fly-tipping.
Waste is a devolved issue. While this briefing paper focuses on England, it does provide links to further information in the devolved nations. Information on other UK countries can also be provided to Members and their staff on a request basis.
Fly-tipping: the illegal dumping of waste (394 KB , PDF)
The Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] is scheduled to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 12 February 2025.
The Climate and Nature Bill 2024-25 was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024, and its second reading took place on 24 January 2025. This Library briefing provides an overview of the bill and background information.
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on rural crime on 27 February 2025. The debate will be opened by Ben Maguire MP.