Burnham announces plans to clean up worst three illegal waste dumps
The UK government has announced plans to clean up three major illegal waste dumps using taxpayer funds and increase fines for waste-related crimes. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized a new, networked approach involving the National Crime Agency to tackle environmental crime.
Why it matters
This reflects a shift in environmental policy toward stricter enforcement and centralized coordination to combat the growing issue of illegal dumping.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Andy Burnham announced a crackdown on a visit to an illegal waste dump in Bradford
Three of the country's worst illegal dumps are due to be cleaned up using taxpayers' money, the government has announced.
Sites in Kent, Surrey and West Yorkshire will be assessed for clearance, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham saying the "toxic dumps have blighted communities for too long".
Fines for waste offences will also rise from £300 to £5,000 to deter, catch, and punish those who dump illegally, and the Environment Agency will have more powers to seize assets bought with the proceeds of crime by those involved.
But opposition parties said illegal dumps were a small part of a much bigger issue with smaller scale fly-tipping and landfill all posing big problems for communities.
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