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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 6 February (HL944), what progress they have made on the introduction of a mandatory electronic waste tracking system to combat fly tipping.

We are taking forward powers to introduce electronic waste tracking in the Environment Bill which is currently going through parliamentary passage in the House of Commons.

These powers, along with other measures being introduced as part of this Bill (for example amendments to the section 108 powers of entry) will help tackle waste crime, including fly-tipping.

We have committed to introducing mandatory digital waste tracking in England subject to consultation. In parallel, work to develop the digital system is already well underway.

We have started to design and test waste tracking prototypes using the GovTech Catalyst Fund which incentivises Britain’s pioneering tech firms to develop innovative solutions to public sector problems.

We are designing the prototypes with input from a wide range of user groups including small and micro businesses to ensure we understand how waste tracking can be developed to meet their needs.