Robbie Moore

Robbie Moore

Conservative — Keighley and Ilkley

Speaking in the House of Commons on 5 September 2024

Debate

Waste Crime: Staffordshire

Contribution

I apologise—it is because I worked in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for a long time. I believe that such a bond was not put in place when John Prescott awarded the initial planning consent for the site. Does the Minister agree that the taxpayer should not have to pay a penny towards the costs associated with the remediation or clean-up works, or indeed the enforcement programme that the Environment Agency should carry out when we know an operator is in the wrong? It must be the polluter that pays, not the constituents of the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme or the local council. Further, does the Minister agree that when we talk about “polluter pays”, any fine that the EA imposes should include an element of compensation for those who have been impacted? Finally, does she think that the Environment Agency is fit for purpose in its current format as a robust regulator and enforcer? I genuinely wish the Minister well on this issue. She has my full support in seeking a closure notice for the site.

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