From 1h agoBurnham says days of criminal gangs making money from dumping waste are 'over'Hello and welcome to the UK politics live blog.The days of criminal gangs making easy money from dumping waste are “over”, the prime minister will say on a visit to a waste site in Yorkshire later today.Illegal dumps in West Yorkshire, Surrey and Kent will be cleared up using taxpayer money, Andy Burnham has announced, as he promised a new drive to tackle toxic waste.Ministers have identified dumps in Bradford, Runnymede and the Isle of Sheppey, which collectively contain about 22,000 tonnes of illegal waste, to be cleared in the next phase of the government’s national clear-up effort.Meanwhile, fines will be raised for rogue dumpers, and AI-powered drones will be used to detect illegal activity while it happens, as the government looks to prioritise prevention alongside clean-up efforts.Burnham said in a statement:
double quotation markThese toxic dumps have blighted communities for too long. I said we would clean them up – and that’s exactly what we’re announcing today.
He added:
double quotation markThese mountains of rubbish have been a clear sign to communities that politics hasn’t been working for them or their area.
