Reform UK is calling for a dramatic increase in on-the-spot fines for fly-tipping, proposing a hike to £5,000 per penalty as part of a broader crackdown on illegal waste dumping.
Deputy leader Richard Tice slammed the current state of litter across the UK, calling it a "national embarrassment" and a sign of a broken society. Speaking at a press conference in central London, Tice argued that higher fines are essential to restore civic pride.
"We all want to be environmentally-friendly, but there's nothing friendly about littering or fly-tipping," Tice said. "It's a sign of a nation ill at ease with itself, that has given up caring."
Currently, fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for fly-tipping in England max out at £1,000, with serious offenders facing court-ordered fines or imprisonment. Reform UK wants to raise the FPN cap to £5,000. Repeat offenders within 36 months would face permanent vehicle seizure under the party's plan.
The party is also proposing a new aggravated offence for commercial-scale fly-tipping, with a mandatory minimum fine of £20,000 and vehicle forfeiture upon conviction.
Official figures show fly-tipping incidents dealt with by councils in England rose by 9% to 1.26 million in 2024/25. FPNs issued increased from 63,000 to 69,000, while vehicle seizures remained steady at 139.
Tice announced a "national action day" set for 4 July, encouraging elected officials from all parties to participate in clean-up efforts. He also called for fast-food outlets to risk losing their licenses if they persistently allow litter to accumulate around their premises.
The proposals put Reform UK in line with other parties pushing for tougher penalties. The Liberal Democrats have suggested cash rewards of up to £5,000 for tip-offs leading to successful prosecutions, along with raising minimum fines to £2,500. The Conservatives want fly-tippers to face driving licence points—a move the Labour government is considering. The Green Party has focused on improving waste disposal accessibility.
The Labour government recently unveiled plans to grant councils new powers to force fly-tippers to clean up dumped waste and give the Environment Agency police-style authority to investigate major waste sites.