World Water Day

The debate addresses the global crisis of clean water access, highlighting that half the world's population lacks this essential resource. It emphasises the importance of clean water for public health and sanitation, noting that more than 3 billion people are unable to wash their hands with soap and water at home due to the pandemic. The speaker also points out that only 5% of climate finance is spent on helping countries adapt to climate change and less than 1% goes towards basic water infrastructure and services.

The shadow minister supports the call for integrating water, sanitation and hygiene into health programmes supported by UK aid. He also raises concerns about the impact of the pandemic on progress towards achieving sustainable development goals.

World Water Day highlights the importance of reflecting upon water's universal value. Climate change is causing severe water scarcity in South and central America, Africa, and east Asia. The UK Government’s cut to overseas aid affects millions facing humanitarian crises due to droughts and famines. In Jammu and Kashmir, climate change exacerbates conflicts over fresh water supplies between Pakistan and India, impacting the local population's access to water.

Water scarcity and pollution are major concerns despite its abundance on Earth. Water is essential for human life and health, regulating temperature, transporting nutrients, and aiding digestion. Farmers in his constituency face threats to their livelihoods due to excessive water abstraction claims without evidence. The Government's 25-year plan aims to provide plentiful clean water but only 14% of rivers have good ecological status.

Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. Half a million people die annually from diarrhoea due to contaminated water, affecting health, dignity, and prosperity globally. Water scarcity linked to climate change will cause one in four children worldwide to lack clean drinking water by 2040. Nationalising the UK's own water supply and driving privateers out of the market is necessary for global development.

World Water Day also highlights access to water for swimming, an activity that has health benefits and improves mental well-being. England lacks clear legal provisions for public access to open water compared to Scotland, posing risks due to unclear laws on trespassing and safety concerns from boat traffic. He calls on the Government to support clearer legal access to waterways in England and Wales.

Congratulated Navendu Mishra for securing the debate. Criticised Government’s decision to cut overseas aid spending, pointing out that it signals a retreat from humanitarian commitments. Cited Sir James Bevan's warning about Britain facing water scarcity in less than 25 years due to climate crisis and wastage. Advocated for publicly owned water system to slash average bills by £100 annually and reduce leakage.

Acknowledged the importance of World Water Day on 22 March, highlighting that only 2% of UK aid budget is spent on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Stressed the transformative impact of access to clean water on people’s lives. Criticised the Government's cut in the aid budget from £15 billion to £9 billion and urged for a step change in funding WASH projects.

Emphasised the issue of flooding that affected over 1,800 homes in Pontypridd. Called on Government to work with Welsh Government for long-term solutions and to address home insurance affordability issues. Highlighted that UK's climate is becoming wetter, leading to increased rainfall totals. Advocated for sustainable drainage systems to mitigate flood risk.

Clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene are crucial for breaking free from extreme poverty. Despite progress, 55% of the global population lacks safe sanitation and 2 billion lack access to safe drinking water. The climate emergency exacerbates these issues, particularly in Bangladesh where one in seven people may be displaced by 2050. The UK's reduction in overseas aid is shameful, as it must work collaboratively under UN sustainable development goals to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030. Privatisation of water has been a disaster with leakages and high dividends; the UK should bring water back into public ownership.

The Right2Water campaign in Ireland highlights the importance of maintaining water and sanitation in public ownership. The Flint, Michigan scandal showed how prioritising profit over people leads to environmental disasters. Private companies have ravaged the environment globally, and climate change will worsen water scarcity issues. In 2040, 600 million children are predicted to face perilous water scarcity. The UK should lead by increasing climate finance for poor countries' adaptation.

Communities in some parts of the world lack access to clean drinking water, while others take it for granted. A church group worked on a project called H2O to provide fresh water to communities that previously relied on contaminated river water. Churches and charities should be involved in global efforts to ensure everyone has access to basic necessities like water. The UK can use its G7 chairmanship to fund infrastructure improvements for water, sanitation, hygiene, and healthcare facilities in least developed countries.

The hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Patricia Gibson), a Scottish National Party MP, highlighted the importance of World Water Day in discussing the global water crisis. She noted that Scotland enjoys world-class water quality, publicly owned, unlike in England where privatization is a threat due to the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. Gibson pointed out that only three out of five people worldwide have basic hand-washing facilities, a critical issue especially during the covid-19 pandemic, and emphasised the need for increased aid spending by highlighting cuts made in Yemen which directly impact millions of vulnerable individuals lacking clean water and sanitation. She also criticised the UK Government's decision to cut £120 million from international research on water security, which has been condemned by the UN. Gibson stressed that lack of access to water affects women and girls disproportionately as they spend significant time collecting water, affecting their educational opportunities. Water security, she concluded, is a matter of life and death for the poorest people on earth.

Water and access to water is crucial for human progress but the world faces a severe crisis with billions affected by shortages. Climate change exacerbates this issue, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations like women in Kenya and Uganda who spend hours daily seeking clean water, hindering their education and livelihoods. The UK Government's cuts to aid will worsen these crises, especially in regions like Syria where water is weaponised against civilians. Despite rhetoric, the Government continues to fund fossil fuel projects contrary to climate goals, undermining efforts for equitable vaccine distribution and hygiene measures essential during pandemics.

Thanked participants and noted widespread support for public ownership of water companies, citing Scottish Water as an example. Called on the Government to honour international aid commitments and restore ring-fenced funding for programmes focusing on clean water, hygiene, and sanitation.