Government to Step Up Fight Against Waste Crime

Minister Emma Hardy’s statement on 17 November 2025 focused on tackling waste crime and protecting the countryside. She stressed its damaging impact on communities, ecosystems, and businesses, and outlined the government’s commitment to enforcement.

She stated that the Environment Agency now has stronger powers, including access to police databases, covert intelligence, and mobile data, while the Joint Unit for Waste Crime coordinates agencies to disrupt organized networks.

The government has boosted the enforcement budget by 50% to £15.6 million and is targeting financial incentives behind waste crime. Upcoming reforms include tightening permit exemptions, overhauling the carriers and brokers system, and introducing digital waste tracking.

Hardy emphasized the goal of moving away from a throwaway society and “cleaning up Britain” through tougher regulation and collaboration.

Read the full speech here.