Question reference: S6W-05986
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 27 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 7 February 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the current sentencing guidelines are for those convicted of fly-tipping.
Answer
Flytipping is a criminal offence. People who flytip can be issued with a fixed penalty notice up to £200. If prosecuted, a person who is caught flytipping can face a fine up to £40,000. SEPA are engaging with the Scottish Sentencing Council on behalf of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to help develop sentencing guidelines on environmental offences.
In December 2021, Scottish Government launched a consultation on potential additional measures to tackle flytipping in Scotland, including actions to further strengthen enforcement. Proposals include raising fines, extending local authorities' enforcement powers and exploring the use of civil penalties to enforce flytipping offences.
Responses to the consultation, which is open until 31 March 2022, will inform the development of the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy.