A local MP praised the City Council's successful crackdown on fly-tipping in the House of Commons 

David Williams, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North, made the statement during an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on the powers and resourcing of the Environment Agency to tackle organised waste crime. 

Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Williams drew national attention to the Illegal Dumping In Our Towns (IDIOT) campaign led by Councillors Amjid Wazir and Jane Ashworth. 

The MP said: "In Stoke-on-Trent, under the leadership of Councillors Wazir and Ashworth, we have had the successful IDIOT, 'illegal dumping in our towns', campaign. 

"As a result, we have seen the number of fines go up and the amount of fly-tipping reduce. 

"Does the Minister agree that the IDIOT campaign is an apt title?" 

In response, the Minister said: "Full credit goes to his local council for the work it is doing to tackle this hugely important issue, and full credit goes to him for raising it here." 

Following the exchange, Mr Williams said: "Fly-tipping blights neighbourhoods, damages our environment, and costs taxpayers millions. 

"When the Conservatives ran the City Council, I remember residents waiting for a month or more to have fly-tipping removed from their streets, alleyways and open spaces. 

"Now, that fly tipping is being removed on average in just three days and the number of fines issued to fly-tippers has almost doubled. 

"Under Labour, Stoke-on-Trent has chosen not to look the other way. Councillors Wazir and Ashworth have led a robust, visible and effective campaign that has delivered real results for residents. I was pleased to highlight that success in Parliament today. 

"But the scale of criminal waste dumping nationally, particularly by organised gangs, shows why stronger enforcement powers, proper resourcing, and sustained national leadership are essential. Today's Urgent Question underlined the urgency of that challenge." 

Cllr Amjid Wazir, Deputy Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, added: "Our message has been simple: if you dump waste illegally in Stoke-on-Trent, we will find you and we will take action. 

"Residents deserve clean, safe neighbourhoods, and the IDIOT campaign has empowered communities to report offenders while giving our officers the tools and backing to clamp down hard. 

"I thank David for raising our work in Parliament: Stoke-on-Trent is showing what determined local leadership can achieve." 

The council explained that the approach has led to an increase in fines and prosecutions, and one of the most significant reductions in fly-tipping across the city in recent years.