A Tory MP waging war on fly-tipping has warned that taxpayers are spending millions of pounds each year to clean blighted communities.
Paul Bristow wants a loophole allowing fly-tippers to advertise “criminality” online to be closed under a new law.
His Bill, introduced to the Commons last week, would require the display of a valid waste transfer licence for all removal advertisements.
Local authorities would also be forced to fine perpetrators in cases where the evidence for fly-tipping is “clear” on both public and private land.
Mr Bristow said: “There are over a million fly-tipping incidents a year. And clear up is costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions each and every year. This has got to stop.
“It is time for Government to step up.Those who dump waste illegally are taking us all for a ride.
“They are criminals. We need to fight back. I will not rest until we have won the war on fly-tippers.”
Mr Bristow introduced his Disposal of Waste (Advertising and Penalty Provision) Bill to the Commons last Tuesday.
He asked for his Bill to be considered at second reading on May 17 although it is unlikely to become law in its current form due to a lack of parliamentary time.
Tory MP Selaine Saxby said it is an “intrinsically conservative value” to take pride in local communities.
She added: “Unfortunately, fly-tippers and persistent litterers can leave scars on our community, with people feeling disenfranchised rather than proud in their area.
“Indeed, fly-tipping can not only ruin people’s enjoyment of outdoor areas, but also upset and affect the local environment and wildlife.”
The government has clamped down on this blight to communities by increasing the fines for littering from £400 to £1,000.
Ms Saxby said: “Fly-tipping still remains an all too common problem, and further, tougher methods should be explored.”
Gloucestershire dairy farmer Richard Cornock has told how fly-tipping on his land has got worse and he fears it will harm his cattle.
There has been a “marked” increase in waste being dumped in rural parts of the South West, figures show.
Mr Cornock said “it seems to be relentless”.
He added: “Only a few weeks ago I had a sofa dumped down by the road on our field, and again this was something I had to come along and deal with.”
He fears that waste dumped on his land could potentially kill his cows if ingested.
Around 3,000 instances of fly-tipping are reported each day in England – that’s once every 30 seconds.
This is costing local authorities up to £58 million each year, the Local Government Association said.
The most common place for fly-tipping to occur was on highways, pavements and roads, which accounted for two fifths (40%) of total incidents in 2022/23.
The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents was equivalent to a “small van load” (31%), followed by the equivalent of a “car boot or less” (27%).
Around 42,000 or around 4% of total incidents were of “tipper lorry load” size or larger, which is an increase of 13% from 37,000 in the previous year.
Councillor Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said: “Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin.”
