Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, has welcomed the news the Conservative Government is introducing harsher penalties for fly-tipping, graffiti and litter.
Environmental crimes like littering and fly-tipping are cynical and opportunistic, damaging wildlife and nature, creating eyesores and ruining our enjoyment of the great outdoors. The new upper limit to fines will deter people from harming our public spaces in the first place, and ensure that those who continue to offend face tougher consequences.
To help equip councils with everything they need and strengthen their arm, government is laying a statutory instrument increasing the upper limits for various fixed penalty notices (FPNs) on Monday 10 July. This means:
- The maximum amount those caught fly-tipping could be fined will increase from £400 to £1,000
- The maximum amount those who litter or graffiti could be fined will increase from £150 to £500
- The maximum amount those who breach their household waste duty of care could be fined will increase from £400 to £600
Ben Everitt MP commented: "I'm pleased the Government is now allowing councils to take even tougher action on fly-tipping, litter and graffiti because I know residents are fed up of seeing it across Milton Keynes.
"Let's keep our streets and green spaces clean, protect nature and our wildlife and treat the places we live with respect."
Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: "Everyone loathes litter louts and people who dump rubbish. We are increasing the penalties local councils can apply for this behaviour that spoils our streets and harms nature."