Analysis
- Motion Content and Contributions:
- The motion was introduced by Claire Hughes to bring in a Bill aimed at increasing penalties for littering from vehicles and enhancing the technology used for offender identification.
- Hughes emphasized the environmental and social consequences of littering, highlighting the tangible impact on road safety, wildlife mortality, and community aesthetics.
- She cited statistics indicating the prevalence of littering, like IAM RoadSmart's report where 40% of motorcyclists witnessed litter thrown from vehicles and Keep Wales Tidy’s 2023 findings on record levels of fast-food litter.
- Advocated for a multi-faceted approach including better infrastructure (more bins) and technological solutions to improve enforcement efficacy.
- Acknowledged and thanked voluntary groups and communities tackling litter via regular clean-ups.
- Outlined the support from governmental bodies such as the Road Haulage Association for better lorry parking facilities.
- Concluded by associating roadside littering with broader themes of restoring order and tackling crime.
- Debate Type Specifics:
- This was a Debated Motion session under Standing Order No. 23 which allows an MP to propose a Bill for leave to be brought to Parliament.
- Such motions are not binding but essential in setting legislative agendas, gathering support, and gauging parliamentary and public opinions.
of motorcyclists witnessed litter being thrown from other vehicles.
- Outcome:
- The House agreed to allow the Bill proposed by Hughes to be introduced.
- A first reading was conducted with the second reading scheduled for May 16.
annual cost to the UK taxpayer for clearing litter.
- Key Statistics:
- National Highways: 65% of drivers admit to littering from a vehicle.
- Discarded litter contributes to the deaths of 3 million animals annually in the UK.
- Litter clearance costs the UK taxpayer approximately £1 billion per year.
estimated annual wildlife deaths due to litter.
of litter collected by North Wales Wildlife Trust volunteers in a single day's cleanup via beach efforts.
of people in the UK express anger and frustration over litter issues, indicating public sentiment aligns with the Bill's purpose.
Outcome
The motion received unanimous support, as indicated by the 'Question put and agreed to,' allowing the Bill to progress through its initial stages in Parliament. The overwhelming agreement suggests strong cross-party acknowledgment of the problem and support for Hughes' proposed legislation.
Key Contributions
Introduced the Bill to increase penalties for vehicle littering and to leverage technology for better enforcement.
All content derived from official parliamentary records