BBC UK and other MSM this morning reporting on illegal waste dumping ‘loopholes’, do not refer to the situation in Scotland. Their reports are based on this from the UK Government, published today:

New reforms are set to tighten the net on waste criminals with tougher sentences for those illegally dumping waste, and advanced background checks to help put rogue operators out of business.  

As part of the major crackdown on waste criminals, underpinned by the government’s Waste Crime Action Plan, laws being laid this week will require waste handlers to prove they are qualified to transport waste. 

The current registration system is broken and outdated, relying on a basic registration process with limited identity and background checks. This has been exploited by rogue operators with a poor track record of dumping waste and leaving a huge clean-up bill. 

The new and tougher permit-based system will be brought into force in 2027, and require waste handlers to undergo identity, criminal record and technical checks before receiving a permit. They will also need to display their permit number in advertising, including on their vans, making it easier for the public to report unlicensed

operators. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-reforms-to-stop-waste-criminals-from-exploiting-loopholes

This also does not mention Scotland. BBC Scotland do not cover the story for us.

Here’s why:

Scotland’s environment agency is TWICE as effective in closing illegal waste dumps

In 2024/25, Sepa intervened and closed 167 sites.¹

Ten times the population, the EA ten times bigger, the task ten times bigger so around 1 670 interventions?

Nope, 743², less than half as many per head of population.

How is this possible? After 15 years of Tory/Labour mismanagement, the EA is rubbish at doing its job?

Sources:

1. https://beta.sepa.scot/about-sepa/who-we-are/our-performance/annual-report-and-accounts-2024-2025
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025