Starmer faces PMQs as Commons speaker says he passed Mandelson information to police – UK politics live

The Guardian World

by Andrew Sparrow

February 25, 2026

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Sir Lindsay Hoyle revealed that he informed the police about concerns regarding a former US ambassador planning to leave the country, while new figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) highlighted a significant rise in flytipping incidents across England. In the 2024/25 period, local authorities recorded 1.26 million flytipping cases, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. The most severe instances, involving "tipper lorry loads" of waste, saw an 11% rise, with 52,000 such incidents reported—up from 47,000 in the prior year. These staggering numbers underscore the alarming scale of illegal dumping, costing councils £19.3 million annually. The figures paint a grim picture of environmental neglect, equating to approximately 142 "monster landfills" daily. This crisis has led to widespread contamination of natural landscapes, with criminal gangs exploiting the countryside as a personal waste disposal site. These activities not only harm the environment but also pose serious health risks to communities. The Liberal Democrats have condemned this situation, calling for an end to what they describe as "environmental vandalism." The increasing frequency and severity of flytipping incidents highlight a growing problem for local authorities and law enforcement. The financial burden on councils is immense, with costs escalating due to larger-scale dumping. This issue extends beyond mere environmental degradation; it reflects systemic failures in waste management and the lack of consequences for those responsible. Addressing this crisis requires urgent action, including stricter penalties for illegal dumpers and improved waste management infrastructure. Communities across England are already grappling with the consequences of these actions, as their local ecosystems suffer from toxic waste and blighted landscapes. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/25/2026