Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 66607
Waste: Crime
Tabled: 10 July 2025
Answered: 18 July 2025
Question
Gareth Snell
Labour (Co-op) — Stoke-on-Trent Central
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to strengthen the regulatory framework for waste (a) carriers, (b) brokers, and (c) dealers to reduce criminal activity in the sector.
Answer
Mary CreaghThe Government recently announced plans to tighten up the regulation of those who transport and manage waste services, moving them from a light-touch registration system into environmental permitting. This will give the Environment Agency a greater range of powers and more resources to be able to take action against those operating illegally. It will also introduce the possibility of up to 5 years imprisonment for those who breach these new laws.