Adam Dance MP calls for stronger action on rural litter and waste as Government admits lack of assessment
Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, has called on the Government to take stronger, more targeted action to address littering and its public health impact in rural communities—after a series of parliamentary questions revealed concerning gaps in national strategy.
In a set of written questions to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Mr Dance asked what steps the Government plans to take to address littering in rural areas such as Yeovil, and whether any assessments had been made of the public health impact of litter or the benefits of greater education in schools on reducing litter.
The Government’s response, delivered by Environment Minister Mary Creagh MP, acknowledged that littering is a crime that blights communities and the environment. However, the answers confirmed that no assessments have been made on the public health impacts of litter in rural communities, nor the causes of rural littering or the value of improving anti-litter education in schools.
Mr Dance responded:
“These answers are deeply disappointing. Litter is more than just an eyesore—it’s a public health risk and environmental threat, especially in rural areas like ours. Yet the Government hasn’t even assessed the causes or consequences in communities like Yeovil, let alone set out a plan to fix it.”
“It’s simply not good enough to push responsibility onto local councils without providing the evidence, tools or investment needed to tackle the root causes.”
The Government did confirm it will introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use drink containers in October 2027 and that the scheme must be accessible in rural areas. It also noted the new ban on single-use vapes that came in to effect on 1st June 2025, which Mr Dance welcomed as a small but positive step.
However, Mr Dance warned that rural communities must not be left behind:
“We need more than vague commitments and far-off schemes. We need proper investment in rural recycling and waste infrastructure, meaningful education campaigns in schools, and support for councils to enforce littering laws. And we need it now.”
Adam Dance pledged to continue raising the issue in Parliament and working with local communities to press for action, starting with a renewed push for local litter reduction initiatives in South Somerset.