New strategy proposed to conquer littering

The government has announced a new litter strategy which could see litterers hit with £150 fines as part of its plan to tackle rubbish in England.

Unveiled by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom, the government’s first Litter Strategy for England will help reduce the near £800 million burden to the taxpayer of clean-up costs.

According to an officials statement, the new measures will mean the most serious litterers could be hit with the £150 fines, while vehicle owners could receive penalty notices when it can be proved litter was thrown from their car – even if it was discarded by somebody else.

The new motoring rules, which are already in force in London, make owners liable even if they didn’t throw the litter themselves.

Commenting on the new strategy, Leadsom said: “Litter is something that affects us all – blighting our countryside, harming our wildlife, polluting our seas, spoiling our towns, and giving visitors a poor impression of our country.

“Our litter strategy will tackle this antisocial behaviour by building an anti-litter culture; making it easier for people to dispose of rubbish; and hitting litter louts in the pocket.

“We want to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it, and tackling litter is an important part of our drive to make the country a better place to live and visit.”