Independent Water Commission

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Moore questioned the delay in implementation of any significant changes, asking for an outline of the timeframe associated with actual recommendations from the review being implemented. He also asked when real benefits are likely to be experienced by bill payers, water industry infrastructure improvements, and environmental protection.

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Labour's announcement lacks ambition, indicating hesitation and delay tactics. The Secretary of State promised radical change but has not delivered anything significant yet beyond what was already announced by the previous government.

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Water companies have been taking profits and paying out bonuses while failing to invest sufficiently in infrastructure. What measures will be taken to assess the value extracted by water companies?

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With the highest levels of sewage pollution in our waters last year, does the Secretary of State understand the urgency for action instead of a commission? Should we not create a new unified clean water authority?

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How will the close working between the Welsh Government and the UK Government affect this announcement for my constituents?

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The Secretary of State is quite right to point to the role of the payment of bonuses and dividends in bringing us to this point, but he must surely acknowledge that that is far from being the whole story. There are a number of business and accounting practices in companies such as Thames Water that have brought us to the stage we are at today. If he is serious about having a water system that is fit for the future, he has to understand properly what has gone on before.

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I declare an interest as a customer of Southern Water who lost my water supply for five days earlier this year. As the Secretary of State knows well from his visits to Hastings and to Rye, we have major issues from flooding to sewage to water outages. I welcome the water commission. How can my constituents, particularly volunteer groups such as the Clean Water Action group, have their voices heard?

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In my constituency we have beautiful rivers, including the great and mighty River Trent and the River Penk. Over the last few years, as more transparent data has become available, we have been able to see the number of sewage discharges going into those rivers. Will the Secretary of State promise the House that looking at how we can reduce sewage discharges into the Trent and the Penk will be at the heart of what the commission does?

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I congratulate the Secretary of State on the commission that has been set up today—it is absolutely fantastic. Gower was the first area of outstanding natural beauty in the whole of the United Kingdom, and the bathing waters there are second to none, but some of them are less so. I would like to highlight a campaign I have set up to test the bathing water in the winter season, with my constituents, local business and the Gower Society, because data is key—it is what will drive the improvement of our bathing water.

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The Secretary of State highlights the scandal of sewage in our seas and rivers. Indeed, raw sewage was dumped into our rivers and seas for 3.6 million hours last year. Since privatisation, £72 billion has been paid to shareholders in dividends, while his Department highlights that it would cost £56 billion to carry out the necessary investment, so privatisation has failed as a model for getting the investments in place. Will he therefore confirm that the commission will look at what ownership model for water will be effective in addressing this scandal?

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For the last few weeks, I have been conducting independent tests, with colleagues from Bournemouth University, for nitrates and bacteria in the lovely Poole harbour and the surrounding waters. I have noticed, from talking to colleagues, that the frequency of official testing and the number of sites at which those tests are carried out have been reduced significantly by the Environment Agency over the years.

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The Secretary of State mentioned the importance of drainage in reducing incidents of pollution caused by flooding. Will he therefore commit today, while we await the outcome of the commission, to distributing the £75 million allocated by the previous Government to internal drainage boards?

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Last year, sewage was dumped 57 times along the precious coastline of my constituency—the equivalent of 594 hours of sewage spillages. Our constituents are rightly disgusted by this state of affairs. The Conservatives covered up this scandal for 14 years.

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The use of storm overflows in places such as Skegby in Ashfield is absolutely disgusting and it pollutes my rivers, so will the Secretary of State commit to giving the water companies a deadline for ending their use?

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In my constituency, sewage is polluting the streets and bathing waters. The Conservative party cut funding to the regulator in 2015. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the review will reset the role of the regulator?

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In Kingsbridge, residents are wading through sewage during heavy rain due to increased sewage from new houses and ancient culverts. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this chronic problem?

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Today’s report found that rivers in the east and London have the worst water quality with alarming amounts of chemicals. Will the Secretary of State pay tribute to citizen scientists and ensure their voices are heard?

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My constituents are being failed by local sewage infrastructure. Given the time it will take for the review to report back, do you agree that we should pause house building targets until the review is completed?

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Last week, six beaches in my constituency were affected by raw sewage dumping within Environment Agency permitted limits. Will the commission investigate regulatory standards so that fines and punishments are enforced for water companies dumping raw sewage?

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Water is devolved, but Wales does not have full powers to address this scandal. Will the commission consider the full devolution of powers over water and sewage licensing to empower the Senedd?

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I welcome the launch of the independent water commission. With 25% rise in bills but continued profits for shareholders, will there be transparency and accountability to reset focus on consumers instead of company profit?

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When water was privatised, risk-free emporiums could pollute coasts at convenience. To what extent will company governance be in scope? Can companies move closer to community benefit societies with an environmental champion on each board?

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Residents are disgusted by degradation of rural waterways across east England, including hollowing out reservoir capacity. What assurances can you give that we will beef up regulators with the power needed to take action?

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The River Lugg's catchment has been subject to a planning moratorium for more than five years due to excess phosphates, primarily from agricultural run-off. The current terms of reference for the Government’s water commission and Water (Special Measures) Bill do not adequately address this issue. Does the Minister agree that these need to be changed to include full attention on agricultural pollution?

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With Pennon Group paying £112 million in dividends and over £160 million in other finance costs, will the independent commission address whether we have effective funding models for our water industry?

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The year 2 pupils of Bishop Tufnell school in my constituency were disappointed not to be able to swim due to sewage pollution. How will the Secretary of State provide a strategic overview bringing together all agencies involved before winter arrives?

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Sewage pollution on Cornish beaches such as St Agnes affects mental health. Will the commission consider the mental health benefits of clean water as part of its work?

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Exmouth and Exeter East has been hit by significant sewage issues since his election in July. Will the Secretary of State meet him and South West Water's chief executive to ensure immediate fixes are put in place?

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Yorkshire Water discharged sewage 4,125 times last year while its CEO took a £371,000 bonus. Will the Secretary of State look at regulations and what water companies can do about flooding?

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Will the new commission consider removing from water companies their responsibility to monitor sewage discharges, or will it let them continue marking their own homework?

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Sewage has been discharged into Hartlepool’s sea 49 times this year while water companies make billions in profit. Can the Secretary of State commit to putting people ahead of profit in cleaning up this mess?

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South East Water is 74% in debt and relies on increased customer bills for investment, which is unsustainable. Will the Secretary of State assure me that this commission will make suggestions to reduce water companies' indebtedness?

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Upper Tean has experienced flooding and sewage pollution, killing rivers and streams. Will the Secretary of State assure me that the commission will look at how communities can build resilience against water companies?

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The statement from the Secretary of State is welcome, but passionate campaigners in my constituency will be concerned that a review may delay changes needed to prevent sewage discharges in sensitive sites such as chalk streams. Will the commission set a deadline by which water companies must stop all sewage discharges in these areas?

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I met with a flood action group who clear culverts during floods. Will the Secretary of State join me in applauding their efforts? Also, will the commission look at how to improve infrastructure for overflow from smart motorways?

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Water company bosses received £9.1 million in bonuses while Thames Water proposes a 59% increase in customer bills by 2030. Does the Secretary of State understand why residents have lost faith in regulators and will he commit to replacing them with stronger ones?

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I welcome the announcement but would like the Secretary of State to relook at the River Wye action plan, which failed to include Wales and had no new money. Will he commit to a new plan that uses local groups?

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Infrastructure in North Norfolk dates from the 1970s and 80s, which is no longer adequate. Can the Minister confirm that this commission will look specifically at directing investment to infrastructure upgrades?

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Hundreds of residents in my constituency have been flooded recently due to poor regulation. Will the review look specifically at governance and accountability mechanisms between flood management authorities and water management organisations?

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Northern Ireland has similar water issues but is in a different scenario. Can the Secretary of State indicate how the review can deliver a UK-wide water service that is fit for purpose?

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My constituency has seen 3,000 hours of sewage spills in one year. Can the Secretary of State assure me that after 14 years of failure from the Conservative party, the commission will leave nowhere to hide for criminal water bosses?

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As a whitewater kayaker, I see that both the Environment Agency and Ofwat need to be properly resourced. Can the Secretary of State reassure my constituents that the commission will look at resourcing to ensure that water firms are held accountable?

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My constituents are disgusted by the bonuses received under the previous Government. Can the Secretary of State assure me that every penny of my constituents’ hard-earned money will be spent where it is needed?

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Chalk streams in my constituency and across England are of international significance but too often polluted or running dry. Will the Secretary of State assure me that the commission will look at regulation needed to end sewage spills and over-abstraction?

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Parts of my constituency are affected by floods from drains. Will the Secretary of State ensure that these types of floods are included in the remit of the commission?

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Toothless water regulators have been left up the creek. Can the Secretary of State confirm that Sir Jon Cunliffe will look at scrapping and replacing Ofwat?

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River Weaver in my constituency suffered from pollution last year believed caused by slurry dumping. Can the Secretary of State confirm that engagement and support for farmers to dispose of slurry mix appropriately will form part of the review?