The Water (Special Measures) Bill - Not specified in the provided text

Steve Reed Lab Co-op

Streatham and Croydon North

Calls for urgent action to address sewage pollution and water infrastructure issues. Highlights the need for regulatory reforms, customer compensation, and investments in upgrading the water system.

Helena Dollimore Lab Co-op

Hastings and Rye

Supports the Secretary of State's efforts to improve compensation for water outages. Criticises previous government inaction on this issue.

Chi Onwurah Lab

Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Questions the amount of money taken from water infrastructure under the previous Conservative Government, highlighting it as a missed opportunity for investment.

Jerome Mayhew Con

Broadland and Fakenham

Challenges the Secretary of State's claim about the highest level of spills on record, citing underreporting during previous Labour Government.

Charlie Maynard Lib Dem

Witney

Raises concerns over Thames Water's increasing debt and potential customer bill impacts. Questions the effectiveness of proposed measures to help customers.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

Acknowledges current capital investment but questions previous Labour Government's contribution, citing major projects started under the Conservative regime.

Calum Miller Lib Dem

Bicester and Woodstock

Requests consideration of a special administrative regime for Thames Water to reset it properly and write off excessive debt incurred by previous governments.

Gareth Snell Lab Co-op

Stoke-on-Trent Central

Supports the role of regulators in enforcing water regulations. Criticises previous government's underfunding and understaffing of environmental agencies.

Melanie Onn Lab

Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes

Raises concerns about economic impacts on local businesses due to sewage discharges. Asks for compensation extension beyond individual customers.

Polly Billington Lab

East Thanet

Criticises Tory inaction that allowed excessive bonuses and rewards for water company executives despite failures.

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

Asks about regulation of PFAS chemicals in drinking water, citing health risks and regulatory actions taken by Scotland, EU, and US.

Ben Coleman Lab

Chelsea and Fulham

Encourages serious measures to address sewage discharge issues. Calls for effective use of regulatory powers against water company executives.

Nusrat Ghani Con

Sussex Weald

Welcomed the opportunity to debate water and sewerage issues. Highlighted improvements in monitoring storm overflows since 2010, stressing the importance of data collection for informed decision-making.

Victoria Atkins Con

Louth and Horncastle

Emphasised improvements in water quality ratings and blue flag beaches since 2010. Criticised Labour's record on dividends and monitoring storm overflows, suggesting that their data collection efforts were minimal.

Amanda Martin Lab

Portsmouth North

Highlighted issues with sewage discharge and its environmental impact, criticising the current system for causing anger among residents and potential bill increases.

Gareth Snell Lab Co-op

Stoke-on-Trent Central

Asked a question to challenge Victoria Atkins' claims about water quality improvements, indicating ongoing concerns in his constituency.

Ben Coleman Lab

Chelsea and Fulham

Criticised the effectiveness of monitoring storm overflows by pointing out ongoing issues with sewage discharge in Chelsea Reach, despite data collection efforts.

Clive Lewis Lab

Norwich South

Suggested that the current government's approach to water management is ineffective and questioned their electoral competitors' policies for public ownership of utilities.

Helena Dollimore Lab Co-op

Hastings and Rye

Asked a question to Victoria Atkins, likely challenging her claims about water quality improvements or monitoring efforts.

Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab

Calder Valley

Challenged Conservative Members' attendance and confidence in their environmental record, highlighting only 12.5% of them present during the debate.

Richard Holden Con

Basildon and Billericay

Asked a point of order regarding the Secretary of State's potential conflict of interest due to receiving football tickets from a subsidiary of Northumbrian Water.

Rachel Taylor Lab

North Warwickshire and Bedworth

Highlighted ongoing issues with flooding in her constituency, suggesting that current government policies have not adequately addressed local solutions.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Asked about the excessive bonuses received by chief executives of water companies and expressed concern over public anger regarding these payments.

Matt Rodda Lab

Reading Central

Matt Rodda highlights serious issues of water pollution and supply problems affecting his constituents. He describes firsthand experiences with sewage outflows in local rivers causing health and environmental concerns, and discusses inadequate responses to water cut-offs, advocating for stricter measures.

Olivia Bailey Lab

Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Supports Matt Rodda's position, noting similar issues in her constituency including sewage pollution affecting school children walking to school. Emphasises the need for tough measures against failing water companies like Thames Water.

Tim Farron Lib Dem

Westmorland and Lonsdale

Proposes radical restructuring of the water industry, including a unified clean water authority to absorb Ofwat and Environment Agency powers. Advocates for forcing companies to publish full sewage spill data and reforming boards with local environmental experts. Highlights the need for robust targets on sewage discharges.

Dave Robertson Lab

Lichfield

Intervenes, questioning whether acting too quickly in privatising water industries could be a mistake. Implies that past actions might have long-term consequences.

Gideon Amos Lib Dem

Taunton and Wellington

Supports regulation of water companies to protect the environment rather than profits. Agrees that bathing waters should not automatically be de-designated.

Adam Jogee Lab

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Critiques past Labour government's lack of action on water regulation and enforcement. Suggests that current measures are inadequate.

Anna Dixon Lab

Shipley

Welcomes the Bill’s support for Environment Agency enforcement costs recovery from offending companies, highlighting under-resourced regulators and illegal discharges in rivers like the River Wharfe.

Robin Swann UUP

South Antrim

Calls for Sir Jon Cunliffe’s review to look across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland Water's regulation and issues in Lough Neagh.

Helena Dollimore Lab Co-op

Hastings and Rye

Supports the amendment, citing severe sewage pollution in Hastings and Rye from Southern Water. Discusses the impact on tourism, health issues, water outages, and lack of compensation for residents and businesses. Emphasises the need for independent monitoring to ensure accountability and improved regulation.

Al Pinkerton Lib Dem

Surrey Heath

[INTERVENTION] Commends Helena Dollimore on her speech, supporting tougher regulation, transparency, and accountability for water companies to ensure they prioritise health and safety over shareholder dividends.

Joy Morrissey Con

Beaconsfield

Welcomes the Government’s commitment to increase capital spend on sewage treatment works, supporting the monitoring plans and fines. Highlights the importance of ensuring water quality for aquatic sports along the Thames in her constituency.

Jonathan Pearce Lab

High Peak

Supports the measures to end sewage pollution in High Peak, praising independent monitoring and increased regulatory powers. Discusses the impact of raw sewage on local rivers and the failure of water company bosses to address this issue.

Blake Stephenson Con

Mid Bedfordshire

Welcomes measures to improve sewage infrastructure and support nature-based solutions. Calls for better forward planning, climate resilience, and implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems. Emphasises the need for action on projects like the Bedford to Milton Keynes waterway park.

Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem

Chichester

Intervenes to support nature-based solutions and highlights Chichester's severe sewage spill problems. Urges for regulation changes to implement these solutions quickly.

Jodie Gosling Lab

Nuneaton

Supports measures to hold water companies accountable and block bonuses for executives overseeing environmental damage. Highlights significant sewage discharge issues in Nuneaton and calls for investment in existing infrastructure.

Helen Maguire Lib Dem

Epsom and Ewell

Calls for a new regulator with powers to revoke licences, set legally binding targets, ban bonuses comprehensively, and empower local communities. Supports public-benefit water company models and greater transparency in sewage discharge data.

Alison Hume Lab

Scarborough and Whitby

Highlights poor water quality issues impacting beaches, surf businesses, and environmental charities. Calls for accountability measures, including reporting on sewage discharge frequency and duration.

Sarah Bool Con

South Northamptonshire

The monitoring of storm overflows increased from 7% in 2010 to 100% in 2024, highlighting the need for action. However, some measures should be amended, such as maintaining the water restoration fund.

Amanda Hack Lab

North West Leicestershire

Residents in North West Leicestershire have reported dry weather outflows and large-volume releases damaging their communities. The Bill should challenge poor water quality impacting people's personal spaces, as seen with storm drain effluent releases affecting shared gardens and smallholdings.

Alison Griffiths Con

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

The Bill should focus on comprehensive solutions, including infrastructure improvements to prevent sewage outflows and flooding. Clause 2 requires water companies to prepare pollution incident reduction plans but lacks enforceability, necessitating amendments for delivery of measures.

Allison Gardner Lab

Stoke-on-Trent South

In Stoke-on-Trent South, there are over 300 sewage dumps annually affecting local watercourses. She supports new section 35B of the Water Industry Act which requires consumer involvement in decision-making processes by water companies. Gardner emphasises the importance of empowering regulators to hold water companies accountable through measures like blocking bonuses and implementing fines.

Ellie Chowns Green

North Herefordshire

Chowns notes that agricultural run-off is a primary source of water pollution in her constituency. She argues against the profit motive in water management, highlighting that 30% of water bills go to debt servicing and dividends rather than infrastructure maintenance. She supports certain aspects of the Bill but calls for more radical measures including public ownership of water services.

James Naish Lab

Rushcliffe

Naish reports over 471 sewage dumps in Rushcliffe constituency in 2022, doubling to nearly a thousand by 2023. He welcomes upgrades to water treatment works but criticises previous profit-focused management of water companies. Naish supports the Bill's measures to enhance enforcement powers and calls for state intervention if private sector firms fail.

David Reed Con

Exmouth and Exeter East

The hon. Member highlighted the need for sustained investment, careful planning, and clear accountability to address water quality issues over a long period. He noted that previous Governments have also taken action but argued for more comprehensive measures under this Bill.

Caroline Voaden Lib Dem

South Devon

The hon. Member interjected to mention the cryptosporidium incident in Brixham, which affected 17,000 houses with contaminated water for eight weeks. She called on the Minister to ensure proper compensation is paid by South West Water due to its negligence and lack of maintenance.

Peter Swallow Lab

Bracknell

The hon. Member asked how many emergency overflows are currently being monitored, emphasising the importance of monitoring in addressing storm overflow issues.

Josh Babarinde Lib Dem

Eastbourne

The hon. Member highlighted that Southern Water has made significant profits and distributed substantial bonuses to executives, questioning the effectiveness of previous Government measures in regulating water companies.

Tristan Osborne Lab

Chatham and Aylesford

The hon. Member spoke in support of the Bill, emphasising its importance for environmental stewardship, public trust, local accountability, and community health. He highlighted the severe pollution levels caused by raw sewage discharges into rivers and called for stricter penalties and greater investment in infrastructure.

David Chadwick Lib Dem

Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe

Chadwick supports strengthening the regulation of water companies with increased enforcement powers. He points out severe pollution in three rivers within his constituency, highlighting that underfunding has left NRW unable to enforce existing legislation adequately. He suggests that while citizen scientists have been doing much of the work in identifying issues, better regulation and resources are needed to address sewage dumping effectively.

Lee Pitcher Lab

Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme

Pitcher supports the Bill's measures for water sector reform and acknowledges the importance of addressing pollution through a combination of grey and blue-green infrastructure solutions. He highlights the need for sustainable management plans that incorporate nature-based solutions to improve water quality and reduce flood risk. Pitcher emphasises that the Labour Government has initiated both immediate action with the Bill and long-term reforms through an independent review, aiming to rebuild public trust in water regulation.

Vikki Slade Lib Dem

Mid Dorset and North Poole

Slade agrees with Pitcher on the importance of nature-based solutions for sewage removal. She cites an example from her constituency where a chemical-based system cost £10 million, whereas a natural solution would have been more effective and cost-efficient. She advocates for prioritising such methods over traditional infrastructure investments.

Ann Davies PC

Caerfyrddin

Davies supports the Bill's restrictions on water companies but expresses concerns about profit priorities and the need for better monitoring models. She emphasises that full control over water resources should remain with Wales, urging caution against undermining devolution in pursuit of regulatory objectives.

Andrew Pakes Lab Co-op

Peterborough

He supports the Bill, arguing it is necessary to address record levels of illegal sewage dumping, infrastructure issues, and unaccountable water company practices. He cites specific examples from his constituency, such as Anglian Water's poor performance and excessive executive pay despite regulatory penalties. Andrew emphasises the need for accountability measures within the Bill, including banning bonuses unless high standards are met and introducing criminal liability for executives.

Jack Rankin Con

Windsor

While supportive of the overall aim to improve water infrastructure, he raises concerns about ensuring that measures are not cosmetic and require primary legislation. Jack discusses local issues in his constituency involving Thames Water and calls for long-term investment, increased consumer bills, and a stronger regulator like Ofwat with duties focused on clean water.

Tom Hayes Lab

Bournemouth East

He welcomes the Bill, highlighting its importance for Bournemouth's environmental appeal. Tom mentions local issues such as sewage in the sea affecting surf therapy sessions and health concerns from pollution. He discusses significant upgrades and investments in water infrastructure but also suggests reimagining storm overflows to manage rainwater more effectively. The speaker emphasises the need for powers and support for regulatory bodies like the Environment Agency.

Clive Jones Lib Dem

Wokingham

He argues that rivers are crucial to British ecosystems but highlights unacceptable sewage outflows under Conservative rule. Clive mentions concerns over Thames Water's plans for significant rate hikes and questions about guaranteed investment in Wokingham’s sewerage system. He calls for stricter oversight from regulators to prevent further neglect of infrastructure.

Jayne Kirkham Lab Co-op

Truro and Falmouth

Welcomes the Bill for addressing sewage discharges, citing statistics such as nearly 540,000 hours of sewage discharge in Cornwall. Emphasises health impacts on swimmers and surfers, tourism losses due to water quality issues, and infrastructure challenges. Supports measures including real-time monitoring, penalties, and transparency.

Charlie Maynard Lib Dem

Witney

Believes the Bill is disappointing as it does not address financial issues of water companies like Thames Water. Argues for special administration to fix the debt problem and reform regulators, establish pollution baselines, reset permits, install volumetric flow metres, and haircut debt.

Darren Paffey Lab

Southampton Itchen

Welcomes legislation to address sewage dumping issues. Discusses the impact on local communities such as Bitterne Park primary school where children cannot play outside due to stench from treatment works. Supports measures against unjustifiable bonuses and long-term investment in water networks.

Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem

Stratford-on-Avon

Urges the Government to strengthen proposed legislation. Supports measures to address sewage discharges but calls for more radical changes such as abolishing Ofwat and establishing a clean water authority, demanding real-time data and legally binding targets.

David Burton-Sampson Lab

Southend West and Leigh

Supports the bill as it requires real-time monitoring of sewage spills and imposes restrictions on bonuses for executives who fail to meet environmental standards. He cites a 106% increase in sewage discharges along his constituency's coastline from Anglian Water, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.

Gideon Amos Lib Dem

Taunton and Wellington

Welcomes the bill but wishes it would go further. Advocates for a stronger regulator, not-for-profit companies to manage water infrastructure, more time given to improve bathing water quality without threat of de-designation and opposition to automatic de-designation after five years.

Julie Minns Lab

Carlisle

Cites poor service from United Utilities, with recent sewage discharges in Carlisle and profit-driven practices despite environmental damage. Supports measures to hold companies accountable through fines and independent monitoring.

Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab

Calder Valley

Welcomes the bill as an opening step towards holding water bosses and companies accountable. Highlights high sewage discharge rates by Yorkshire Water and calls for criminal prosecution of irresponsible executives.

Julia Buckley Lab

Shrewsbury

In Shrewsbury, residents are facing increasing water bills and severe environmental degradation due to sewage dumping. The constituency's river, the Severn, is heavily polluted with wet wipes and sanitary products, impacting public health and ecology. Buckley criticises Severn Trent Water for profiteering while failing to improve services and reducing pollution. She urges the Minister to implement criminal sanctions and stronger regulation to ensure accountability in the water sector.

Dan Aldridge Lab

Weston-super-Mare

Aldridge highlights the importance of protecting beaches, rivers, and bathing waters in his coastal constituency. He cites a decline in water quality that has affected tourism and local businesses. The number of poor-quality bathing waters increased under the previous government, impacting Weston-super-Mare's economy and residents' confidence in their environment. Aldridge advocates for swift action to reverse this trend and restore public trust through stronger regulatory measures.

Anna Dixon Lab

Shipley

Dixon discusses the environmental impact of raw sewage dumping in the River Aire and River Wharfe, including health risks to bathers. She praises local activists for exposing the scandal but criticises regulators for failing to act. The Bill is welcomed as it introduces more frequent monitoring and penalties for water companies, aiming to hold them accountable and restrict executive bonuses. Dixon also calls on Yorkshire Water's CEO to return her bonus due to corporate mismanagement.

Gareth Snell Lab Co-op

Stoke-on-Trent Central

He supports the bill, citing examples of excessive sewage discharges in Stoke-on-Trent and Morecambe bay. He argues that past regulations have been insufficient due to underfunding of regulatory organisations, leading to reactionary enforcement instead of proactive measures.

Lizzi Collinge Lab

Morecambe and Lunesdale

She supports the bill by highlighting pollution levels in Morecambe bay and the River Lune, where 13,500 hours of sewage discharge occurred in 2023. She emphasises the ecological importance of these waterways for birds and wildlife, and calls for stronger enforcement to protect them.

Bayo Alaba Lab

Southend East and Rochford

He supports the bill by highlighting infrastructure issues in Southend resulting from underinvestment. He notes that beaches have lost blue flags due to drainage problems, impacting property values. The bill is seen as a means of enhancing water quality standards and holding companies accountable for pollution.

Polly Billington Lab

East Thanet

She supports the bill to address underinvestment, over-pollution, and excessive executive bonuses in the privatised water industry. She discusses infrastructure failures leading to service disruptions and calls for local accountability mechanisms through a new independent commission.

John Whitby Lab

Derbyshire Dales

Mr. Whitby supports the Water (Special Measures) Bill which introduces reforms to address sewage pollution and protect water quality in Derbyshire Dales. He cites a 26% increase in sewage dumps between 2022-23, with spills lasting over 28,488 hours, harming biodiversity and public health. The Bill bans bonuses for executives who fail to protect the environment and consumers, imposes stricter penalties for water companies that pollute or violate reporting requirements, strengthens Environment Agency's powers to prosecute, and introduces an independent commission into the water sector.

Neil Hudson Con

Epping Forest

Mr. Hudson thanked MPs for their contributions and highlighted the comprehensive approach taken by the previous Conservative government to address water quality issues, including monitoring storm overflows and regulating sewage discharge. He criticised Labour and Lib Dems for their inconsistent positions on water management, pointing out that while they opposed Conservative plans when in opposition, they are now attempting to copy these initiatives without acknowledging past opposition. Hudson emphasised the financial impracticality of previous proposals by Labour and Lib Dems, noting a cost of over £300 billion which would increase taxpayer bills significantly. He praised his party's achievements such as quadrupling water company inspections, increasing investment in infrastructure, banning bonuses for executives who pollute waters, prosecuting companies for illegal pollution, and the passage of the Environment Act 2021.

Commons Sense

The Water (Special Measures) Bill - Not specified in the provided text

Lead MP

Debate Type

Tags

At a Glance

How the Debate Unfolded

Lead Contributor

Contributors (76)

About House of Commons Debates