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Written question asked by Janet Daby (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 May 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 May 2022. It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Monday, 16 May 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Nitrous Oxide: Misuse

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help local authorities tackle litter created as a result of the recreational use of nitrous oxide.

Answer

Littering is a criminal offence and in recent years we have bolstered councils’ enforcement powers, such as by almost doubling the maximum fixed penalty for littering from £80 to £150. We have also published guidance for local authorities on the design and placement of bins. Alongside this guidance, we provided nearly £1 million across 44 councils to help them purchase new bins to keep litter off the streets.

Councils also have powers to issue Public Spaces Protection Orders. These are a wide-ranging tool which councils can use to prohibit specified activity in a public place where it has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, such as the recreational use of nitrous oxide.

Where nitrous oxide is supplied either knowingly or recklessly for its psychoactive effect, the maximum offence under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 is seven years’ imprisonment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
954
Session
2022-23
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Litter Misuse Nitrous oxide
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk