Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 5:05 pm on 25 March 2026.
Anneliese Midgley
Labour, Knowsley
5:05,
25 March 2026
I absolutely agree: this matter affects us across all our constituencies. In the action plan, I have read about some good measures, but they need to be put into action. I am sure that the Minister will go into that in more detail.
I finish with four questions for the Minister. First of all, will she look at whether Knowsley could receive the same level of support as other areas that have been cleaned up following Government Intervention? Secondly, will the Government ensure that struggling local authorities are not left to pick up the bill for large-scale organised waste crime? Thirdly, what will actually change to ensure earlier intervention, so that no community has to endure what a number of my constituents are living with now? Finally, what will the consequences be for the criminals, so that this is just not worth it for them?
My constituents deserve better. They should not have to live like that. They should not be breathing this in, cleaning it off their homes, missing out on education or reorganising their lives around it, and they should not feel like they are being overlooked or left behind—but right now, that is exactly how it feels to us. That is not acceptable.
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