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Sewage Discharges: South West
27 November 2024
Lead MP
Ben Maguire
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Economy
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Ben Maguire raised concerns about sewage discharges: south west in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The issue of sewage dumping in our waterways was one of the biggest concerns for residents across North Cornwall during the general election. Ben Maguire highlighted the environmental and health impacts, including a significant increase in sewage discharges into rivers and beaches in 2023 compared to 2022. He cited examples such as three-year-old Finley contracting illness after playing on a beach contaminated with sewage. Additionally, he criticised South West Water's investment in infrastructure upgrades while increasing customer bills significantly. Maguire also called for regulatory reforms including stricter enforcement measures and the potential revocation of licences for poorly performing water companies.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Delyn
Expressed support for the debate, highlighting the unacceptable level of pollution in rivers, lakes, and seas. She mentioned South West Water's poor environmental performance and ongoing legal action against them.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the severity of sewage dumping issues and outlined several measures being taken by the Government to address these problems. These include the launch of a consultation on storm overflow guidance, plans for South West Water to invest about £750 million over five years to reduce sewage spills, and legislative actions such as the Water (Special Measures) Bill to strengthen regulatory powers. The Minister also mentioned the establishment of a national storm overflows hub for transparent data publication and improvements in bathing water regulations. Additionally, they discussed plans to reform the entire water system through an independent commission and ensure stronger enforcement against companies failing environmental standards.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.