The government has confirmed that fines for littering and fly-tipping in England will increase from September 1, 2026. Under the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026, confirmed on July 14, on-the-spot fines for littering will rise by 50% to £750, while fly-tipping penalties will increase to £5,000, up from £1,000.
New penalties take effect in September
The regulations, unveiled by the government on July 15, will come into force in a fortnight. The government stated that the revised fines would serve as a "stronger deterrent and help reduce cases of littering and fly-tipping." Local authorities will be able to hand down harsher penalties, reflecting "the real harm that waste criminals cause to the communities and environment that they ruthlessly disregard."
Government response to waste crime
Emma Reynolds MP, who was Environment Secretary when the changes were announced, said: "Fly-tipping and littering is a disgrace that blights local communities." She added: "Under this government, criminals who break the rules will face heftier fines to clean up the mess they make." Reynolds also stated: "We are sending a clear message to those who dump their rubbish - we are coming after you and you will pay the price."
Local authority discretion and next steps
The government said that local authorities would maintain complete discretion over the level of penalty imposed, with fines adjusted to reflect the seriousness of the offence. Councils can issue penalties anywhere between the minimum and maximum limits, ensuring punishments remain appropriate, while the higher ceiling delivers a clear message that serious offenders will face serious consequences. This legislation represents the latest step under the government's Waste Crime Action Plan, which outlines measures to tackle waste criminals, from those fly-tipping rubbish on high streets to operators running large illegal waste sites.
