A template press release from Lib Dem HQ
LGA calls for toughening of rules over fly-tipping
Lib Dem response: In case you missed it a template press release from Lib Dem HQ:
Note: If your group is in control or part of the administration you will need to speak to the relevant member of your group first.
[INSERT AREA] Lib Dem Councillor slams Labour–Tory ‘Complacency’ as organised waste crime surges
Liberal Democrat Councillor [INSERT NAME] has demanded urgent action to crack down on waste crime in [AREA] after shocking new Government figures revealed fly-tipping is surging.
The latest annual statistics show around 52,000 incidents nationally were the size of a ‘tipper load lorry’ or larger, an 11% jump from 47,000 in 2023/24. These industrial-scale dumps are not petty littering, but organised waste crime. These stats come after a House of Lords amendment tabled by the Liberal Democrats sought to make serious waste crime a strategic priority for the National Crime Agency, but Labour and Conservatives failed to support it.
Clearing up these huge illegal sites cost local authorities in England a staggering £19.3 million in 2024/25, leaving taxpayers to pick up the bill while criminal gangs cash in.
[INSERT NAME], Liberal Democrat Councillor for [WARD], said:
“These figures show the equivalent of 142 monster landfills a day across the country, and here in [AREA], residents know all too well the damage fly-tipping causes to our communities.
“The government also needs to increase resources for councils to investigate and prosecute offenders”.
[INSERT ANY LOCAL HIGH PROFILE CASES]
“From [INSERT LOCAL BEAUTY SPOT] to [LOCAL VILLAGE/ESTATE/ROAD], our neighbourhoods are being treated like a dumping ground. This isn’t just littering, it’s often organised waste crime.
“For too long, criminal gangs have pocketed millions in illegal earnings while poisoning our environment and leaving local taxpayers to foot the clean-up bill. This cannot continue.”
“We need stronger enforcement to clamp down on criminal waste. That means giving the National Crime Agency the powers to go after organised waste gangs and stop them in their tracks.
“The complacency and failure of the Government and the Conservatives to support our plans to ensure the NCA treats serious waste crime as a strategic priority is shameful. They have gone soft on waste crime and must stop dragging their feet to protect our environment here in [AREA]. Serious waste crime should be a priority for the National Crime Agency, with the worst cases taken out of the Environment Agency’s hands and dealt with properly.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Government statistics show that prosecution actions nationally fell by 14% from 1,598 in 2023/24 to 1,377 in 2024/25.
- Around 52,000 incidents were recorded as ‘tipper load lorry’ size or larger.
- A House of Lords amendment tabled by Liberal Democrats sought to make serious waste crime a strategic priority for the National Crime Agency, but Labour and Conservatives failed to support it.
Here is the link to the Lib Dem amendment: Earl Russell's amendment, After Clause 9: Crime and Policing Bill.
See vote result
Today's stats show the number of prosecution actions has decreased by 14% from 1,598 in 2023/24 to 1,377 in 2024/25 (Table 2).
Full statistics: Fly-tipping enforcement actions in England, 2018/19 to 2024/25
Statistics relating to region - number of fly tips per 1000 people - can be found on figure 2 graph: Fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people in England and by region, 2024/25, compared to 2023/24
Nationally Liberal Democrats are calling for:
- Serious waste crime to be designated a strategic priority for the National Crime Agency.
- Stronger coordination between local authorities, police and national enforcement bodies.
- Increased resources for councils to investigate and prosecute offenders.
- Tougher penalties for organised fly-tipping gangs.