Local Environment Quality Surveys for England since 2001 show that while there has been some improvement in that time nearly a fifth of areas surveyed still fall below satisfactory levels for litter and about a quarter of people surveyed admit to littering. Each year the Government funds the campaigning charity Keep Britain Tidy (£5 million in 2009-10) to raise awareness of the problem, campaign for changes in behaviour and offer technical support and advice to national, regional and local government.
Local authorities, who have a legal duty to clear litter from public places, have been given the powers they need to tackle those that litter, most recently through provisions in the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005. Information and guidance is provided to local authorities to help them to improve their enforcement and street cleansing services.