Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky on cleaning up our streets

Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky (credit parliament.uk)

Fly-tipping is a blight on our streets and a slap in the face to the vast majority of residents who take pride in our community. Whether it’s dumped furniture, bags of junk, or just assorted household rubbish, we’ve all seen the mess left behind by a few selfish individuals who think the rules don’t apply to them.

I want to make it absolutely clear: I won’t stand for it.

Alongside the everyday issue of litter, fly-tipping has become far too common across Hendon, including in areas like Burnt Oak, Colindale and West Hendon. Residents there have told me how fed up they are of seeing their streets treated like dumping grounds. And I agree. Our pavements, green spaces and communal areas should be places of pride, not dumping grounds for rubbish.

That’s why I’ve been speaking to the Labour government’s environment secretary, Steve Reed, about what we can do nationally and locally to clean up our streets. I’m pleased to say Labour is already taking decisive action. The previous Conservative government allowed fly-tipping to spiral out of control. Councils were left with limited powers and communities like ours paid the price.

That’s changing now. Labour is giving councils the powers they need, including the ability to seize and crush vehicles used for fly-tipping. If you’re dumping rubbish illegally, the government and our local council are no longer willing to turn a blind eye.

This Labour government has explained how it will crack down on those responsible. With tougher enforcement, stronger penalties and real support for local authorities, we are giving councils the powers they need to be tougher on waste criminals.

Working with local police, councils will now be able to go after the worst offenders, with some repeat offenders facing up to five years in prison. I have spoken to numerous residents across my patch who are relieved to hear about this stricter new approach.

Fly-tipping is unacceptable. It damages our environment, makes our streets and communities messier, and puts unfair costs on residents who might take on the responsibility of disposing of it themselves. Tackling it is one of my top priorities as your MP. By working together – residents, council, and government – we can send a strong message: fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Barnet.

Let’s keep our streets clean, safe and a source of pride for everyone who lives here.

David Pinto-Duschinsky is Labour MP for Hendon

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.