Minister Creagh speaking on waste crime and rural issues

Minister Creagh was on the front bench twice this week. She talked about the decisive action that the Labour government taking to tackle the serious organised waste criminals whose fly-tipping on an industrial scale can blight the countryside. The previous government turned a blind eye to this issue, checks were poor, licensing was ineffective and prosecutions were low. This Labour government is serious about tackling waste cowboys, and has bought in tough new laws, and given police strong powers, to seize vehicles and punish these criminals with up to five.

The following day, she spoke of the enormous improvements the Labour government has made to animal welfare, rural bus services and rural healthcare. Rural communities that she visits in her ministerial role are demonstrating she sees that working alongside nature, creates jobs and attracts investment in rural economies.

The opposition MPs who called the debate, many of whom were responsible for serious degradation of public services in rural areas over the past 14 years - refused to accept responsibilities for there action and were constantly talking the countryside down.

Mary provided some much needed positive news about Labour’s positive plans: the three new national forests in England (the first in 30 years), investment already made and legislation already passed, and plans to stop the decline in natural diversity in the UK after more than a decade of decline. Mary and her ministerial colleagues in Defra are working hard so our rural economies can thrive and blossom once more.

Minister Creagh MP answers a question related to fly-tipping and waste crime.

Minister Creagh responds to Conservative questions on Opposition Day.