Ministers under fire for blocking opening of tips to stop fly-tipping

The Scottish Government has been accused of blocking councils from reopening recycling centres to allow households to dump waste and prevent fly-tipping.

Scottish Labour MSP Alex Rowley said local authorities were ready to safely reopen their dumps, but that permission wasn’t being given by the government.

However Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said local authorities were responsible for the operation of recycling centres, and the government was working with Cosla on a “wider position statement” on their reopening.

Raising the issue in Holyrood after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported flytipping was up 40 per cent on the same time last year, Mr Rowley said Fife Council’s co-leader had said they had a “proposal in place to try and reopen some recycling centres and the stumbling block in moving forward with that is the Scottish Government.

“It needs to be clearer that these services are essential and can be opened in a safe way – there’s no point in blaming local councils. Will you work with councils to get these services open?”

Ms Cunningham said councils needed to consider “several factors” before centres could be reopened, including ensuring physical distancing and “discouraging the public from making unnecessary journeys.” She added: “We are working closely with Cosla and local authorities on the development of a wider position statement regarding the prioritisation of waste services and discussing what further guidance and practical steps for recycling centres may be required.”

Ms Cunningham said centres were also closed because of workforce shortages.