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Written question asked by Stuart Anderson (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Litter: Rural Areas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle littering in rural areas.

Answer

Local councils have legal powers to take enforcement action against offenders of littering including in rural areas.

Anyone caught littering may be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 on conviction. Instead of prosecuting, councils may decide to issue a fixed penalty (on-the-spot fine) of up to £500.

Local councils also have powers to issue a civil penalty to the keeper of a vehicle from which litter has been thrown. This helps them respond to littering incidents when they cannot identify the specific individual who dropped litter from a vehicle.

To support local councils to make good use of their fixed penalty powers for littering we have published new Statutory Guidance, Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them. Local councils will need to have regard to this guidance when using their powers. The guidance is available: Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them - GOV.UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6786
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Litter Rural areas
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk