Crime and Policing Bill

Andrew Snowden Excerpts

Tuesday 14th April 2026 Commons Chamber

I will briefly set out why I am speaking on these topics, and I will urge the Minister to support the pragmatic, practical, and much-needed measures in the amendments. Fly-tipping blights our streets, our countryside and our green spaces. The House knows that I am incredibly passionate about it. It hurts wildlife, undermines pride in our communities and leaves residents feeling helpless.

[Mr Andrew Snowden (Fylde) (Con)]

In rural areas, farmers are often blighted, and end up landed with the costs of significant, often industrial and criminal fly-tipping. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is deeply unfair, and that the Government should accept the amendments, which would help take the burden away from the victims of these crimes?

[Wendy Morton]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. So often when I travel around the constituency, I see gateways where people have fly-tipped, and I have seen piles of fridges and mattresses. It is industrial fly-tipping, and it is disgraceful and disgusting.

Fly-tipping costs around £1 billion to deal with each year. That is £1 billion that could be going to other things, rather than being wasted on clearing up people’s mess. I see that in my constituency, but I want to acknowledge the brilliant work done by so many local volunteer groups to tackle the blight on our doorsteps. I also acknowledge the work of Conservative-run Walsall council, which has taken a zero-tolerance approach, investing in enforcement, expanding CCTV, issuing fines and working with the police to seize vehicles linked to fly-tipping.