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Water Quality: Sewage Discharge
25 April 2023
Lead MP
Jim McMahon
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Agriculture & Rural AffairsParliamentary Procedure
Other Contributors: 55
At a Glance
Jim McMahon raised concerns about water quality: sewage discharge 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 motion would allow for parliamentary time on Tuesday 2 May to progress Labour’s Bill, the Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bill. The country is being treated with contempt due to raw human sewage dumping; at least 1.5 million sewage dumps occurred last year alone, totalling 11 million running hours. That equates to a sewage dump every two and a half minutes. During this debate, 70 sewage dumps will occur in the country affecting places where people have invested their lives and families.
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way, but I would like him to outline when he or the Labour party realised that sewage was being put into rivers and seas.
Thanked his hon. Friend for giving way and mentioned the importance of local rivers in his constituency, the River Weaver and the Mersey. He noted that some 19,000 hours’ worth of raw sewage has been discharged into these rivers and encouraged Members to vote for the motion.
Stated that while more investment is needed in water quality, it was important to debate timescale and affordability. He pointed out the irony that proposals would raise average water bills by £1,000 when there are discussions about cost of living increases.
Asked a question but did not provide further details in the given excerpt.
Acknowledged that the current government has increased monitoring to 91%, soon to be 100% across the country, contrasting with the previous Labour Government's lack of action on this issue.
Expressed frustration about the current state of pollution in his constituency’s rivers and waterways, noting that there were 835 sanctioned spills in 2022. He highlighted the efforts of volunteers who clean up but find more waste going into the canal.
Brought a point of order to the Speaker regarding whether water and environmental policy are reserved or devolved, suggesting that the Welsh Government’s inaction may be embarrassing for them. He also accused the shadow Secretary of State of obfuscating responsibility.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Noted that under Labour, only 7% of sewage discharges were monitored whereas now it is at 91%, with an ambition of reaching 100%. He questioned why the shadow Secretary could not acknowledge this progress and welcome the new legislation.
Highlighted that the current government holds water companies to account through measures like unlimited fines, stringent rules by Ofwat restricting dividend payments, and Europe’s most stringent measures on water companies. He questioned what the Labour party did during their time in government.
Therese Coffey
Con
Frodsham and Ellesmere Port
The government has already taken significant action to address sewage discharges, including monitoring requirements, criminal investigations, record fines, and legislation. The government's plan includes investment up to £56 billion, and a comprehensive strategy is being implemented under the Environment Act 2021.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Preseli Pembrokeshire
Asks if Labour shows humility given their record in Wales where sewage discharges are higher compared to England. Emphasises the need for a credible plan and highlights that under current government, there is substantial progress being made.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
Critiques the complacency of the government's approach, noting no rivers in England meet healthy conditions. Questions why dividends are high if investment is needed and suggests privatisation has failed. Urges for public ownership to ensure proper investment.
Oliver Heald
Con
North East Hertfordshire
Points out that since the criticised privatisation, investment in water infrastructure has doubled. Highlights government's increased monitoring and punitive fines on companies as significant progress.
James Sunderland
Lab
Workington
Defends Labour's record while criticising the current government for unregulated sewage discharges before 2010. Emphasises the increase in monitoring, fines and investment since then.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Clarifies that storm overflows are mostly rainwater, not raw sewage, and highlights the beauty of coastal areas impacted by such discharges. Suggests the current monitoring is enabling infrastructural investments.
Wirral West
Raises specific concerns about sewage spills in Caldy into the Dee estuary, impacting local environment and recreational activities. Urges for more stringent action to address such issues.
Chris Evans
Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
The hon. Member for Caerphilly highlighted the poor management practices and pollution issues of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, citing multiple instances where raw sewage was discharged into rivers across Wales. He criticised the company's chief executive for receiving a significant bonus while struggling customers face soaring bills and environmental degradation. Evans also pointed out that switching water suppliers is impossible and called for uncapped fines on polluters alongside an end to unwarranted bonuses.
Welcomed the cross-party approach to solving the problem but criticised Jim McMahon's private Member’s Bill, stating it was politically opportunistic and weak. Emphasised that the Environment Act 2021 already addresses many of the issues proposed in the Water Quality (Sewage Discharge) Bill and highlighted the unrealistic financial implications for customers if Labour’s proposal were implemented.
Stressed that water is a public resource, not a commodity. Highlighted severe sewage dumping figures from Yorkshire Water in Barnsley and noted a significant reduction in environmental protection funding since 2010. Emphasised the need for transformative action to address systemic problems in managing our public resources.
Supported cross-party efforts to improve river quality, particularly focusing on chalk streams in his constituency. Acknowledged successful campaigns against water abstraction and highlighted the importance of a catchment-based approach as outlined in the Environment Act 2021.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Robbie Moore highlighted the Environment Act which includes measures for monitoring water quality and investing £56 billion over 25 years. He criticised Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Greens for opposing these measures and stressed that his party is committed to improving river systems despite political opposition.
Samantha Dixon
Lab
Chester North and Neston
Samantha Dixon discussed the environmental and economic impacts of sewage dumping into rivers like the River Dee, which affects local businesses. She organised a summit to address this issue and called for significant government investment beyond current funding levels.
Derek Thomas emphasised the complexity of managing storm overflows and the need to balance sewage management with preventing waste accumulation in homes. He provided an example from Cornwall, highlighting how addressing storm overflows can create unintended problems if not managed properly.
The Environmental Audit Committee's work highlighted the poor conduct of water companies and the lackadaisical behaviour of the Environment Agency. We led to a strengthened Environment Act but cannot implement unfeasible overnight changes, such as turning off combined sewer overflows during rain. Instead, responsible actions like Anglian Water’s £30 million investment in infrastructure show progress. Since 2010, Conservative Governments increased good or excellent bathing waters from 76% to 93%, setting a serious step forward with the new water plan.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
Whitstable's economy and tourism are threatened by sewage discharges, affecting sailing clubs, seafood businesses, and reputation as a top British tourist destination. Southern Water’s continuous release of sewage water has damaged local livelihoods, especially in the post-Brexit context where French schoolchildren no longer flock to Canterbury’s market stalls or language schools. SOS Whitstable campaigners demand Government reconsideration for renationalising the water industry and urge Secretary of State to visit residents about their impact.
The landmark Environment Act 2021 tackles sewage problems, and South West Water is investing £40 million by 2030 for improvements around the Fal. While acknowledging past issues, the Government aims to resolve them with faster testing for overflows when unsure of what happened; better communication from local authorities about water safety post-overflow would help. Additionally, ensuring fines go back into fixing problems will further aid progress.
Gedling’s southern border is the River Trent between Colwick and Burton Joyce, which is popular with boaters, walkers and fishermen. There is a legitimate public concern about the quality of the water in those places, a concern that I share. We have heard about introducing uncosted measures. Those could triple the cost of a water bill, which, given the cost of living issues we face at the moment, would be equally unacceptable. We have a detailed and costed plan that will make a difference to the quality of our water.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
According to Environment Agency data from last year, United Utilities—the water company that covers the north-west of England—was the most polluting water company. Despite that, the outgoing chief executive made £1.4 million from the sale of shares in the business. That goes to the heart of the problem: if the Government do not hold private water companies to account with existing legislation and by creating new mechanisms to do so, they are rewarding catastrophic environmental damage. According to analysis by the Prospect trade union, the Government’s grant for environmental protection is currently 56% lower in real terms than in 2009-10. Without enforcement, water companies are allowed to self-report breaches of permits that allow them to release raw sewage in exceptional circumstances via storm overflows.
I support ambitious targets for reducing sewage discharges; I support stronger regulation of the water companies; I support stricter enforcement and penalties for water companies found guilty of discharging sewage into our waterways. It is dismaying that this important issue, which should be tackled on a pragmatic cross-party basis, has been reduced again to a political football. We need a better approach.
Claudia Webbe
Lab
Leicester East
The water industry demonstrates the harms of privatisation, with companies like Severn Trent Water fined for sewage discharges while paying out huge dividends to shareholders. Despite these issues, the company still receives high ratings from the Government. The only real solution is full renationalisation to ensure accountability and reinvestment.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Twickenham
The Government cares about sewage quality and water companies being held accountable, introducing measures such as criminal fines and the ability to jail directors who fail to deliver. The £56 billion investment asked for requires action from water companies rather than putting costs on constituents. Water monitoring has improved significantly under current governance.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South
Not a single English river is in healthy condition, with numerous raw sewage discharges each day across the country since 2016. Chalk streams are particularly vulnerable to pollution and drought. Despite opportunities to address these issues through legislation like the Environment Act 2021, Conservative MPs voted against changes that would end sewage dumping.
Sally-Ann Hart
Con
Hastings and Rye
The Government has a proper, costed plan to deal with excessive use of overflows by water companies. The Environment Act 2021 imposes new legal duties on water companies and gives Ofwat new powers to regulate. Labour's tactics in debating sewage issues are seen as desperate politicking rather than genuine concern.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
There were over 37,000 sewage spills in the south-west last year. In Plymouth alone, there were over 2,000 spills, an average of five per day. South West Water is failing to close down raw sewage outlets that it needs to close. The Government can mandate investment to close sewage outlets and introduce automatic fines for dumping, mandatory monitoring, legally binding targets to end 90% of discharges by 2030, stormwater retention tanks, real-time data tracking, and more environmental funding from fines.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Sewage flooding is revolting, but banning sewage overflows would lead to more homes experiencing sewage flooding. The Government passed the Environment Act 2021 with new targets and measures for water companies. They work closely with Thames Water and the Environment Agency to address issues in Runnymede and Weybridge, supporting a £500 million scheme to protect homes from flooding. Opposition proposals could cost between £150 billion and £600 billion without guaranteed improvements.
Salford
In Salford alone, thousands of hours-worth of sewage discharges littered waterways in 2022. The water industry has been regulated since privatisation in 1989, but fines have not affected companies' behaviour. United Utilities sought a declaration to bar private claims against water companies that dump sewage, which won its case. Privatisation has led to a £72 billion dividend payout and increased bills by 40% in real terms. The Opposition's motion aims for public ownership of the water industry.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
The Victorian drainage system is one issue, but allowing discharge into rivers prevents sewage from backing up into homes. Thames Water has been fined extensively for discharging sewage. The Government's water plan aims to upgrade the waterways and prevent household bills of £21,000 proposed by Labour. Better data recording contributes to increased numbers of reported sewage releases.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
The River Mersey connects Liverpool and Manchester, historically spanning Lancashire and Cheshire. Local organisations like the Mersey Rivers Trust have long fought to clean up the river. Liverpool's Metro Mayor aims for sewage-free waters by 2030 but faces obstacles due to Government inaction. In 2020-21, sewage discharged into rivers for over 17,000 hours from treatment sites, threatening natural habitats and communities. The speaker criticises the Conservative party for blocking amendments to the Environment Act aimed at ending this practice.
Saxby questions the need for further legislation on sewage discharge when the Environment Act 2021 already exists, suggesting instead a focus on its implementation. She highlights improvements in bathing water quality and storm overflow reductions in her constituency of North Devon. She notes that only about 1% of water pollution is sewage, with most overflows being rainwater during storms. Saxby encourages people to visit North Devon for its excellent water quality.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Rodda discusses a recent sewage spill in the River Kennet near Reading that lasted 17 hours, affecting local residents and businesses. He emphasises the need for urgent action beyond current commitments from the Government to address such pollution incidents across Britain.
Baynes highlights the poor performance of Welsh Water in Wales regarding sewage spills, despite being a not-for-profit organisation. He provides statistics showing 83,000 spills and 21% of discharges in Wales, with some of the longest discharge periods recorded there. He urges Labour to take responsibility for water quality issues in Wales.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Supports the Environment Act for tackling sewage overflow issues. Highlights the need for monitoring, fines, prosecution, and major investment in infrastructure. Criticises Labour's proposed solutions as impractical and unrealistic.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Highlights a 67% increase in sewage discharges in his constituency in 2021, criticising the Government for voting against amendments to improve sewerage systems. Expresses concerns from local businesses and communities about the impact on river ecosystems and public health.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Critiques Opposition members for misleading statements regarding sewage dumping in waterways, emphasising that storm overflows prevent sewage backing up into streets or houses during heavy rain. Argues the Government is doing more than Labour ever did and criticises Labour's lack of a real plan.
Acknowledging the importance of clean beaches and rivers, Angela Richardson praised her local water company Thames Water for investing millions in environmental improvements. She emphasised that while the Government incentivizes such investments with a £7 billion programme by 2025, Labour's plans were deemed unrealistic due to their high cost.
Seely thanked the Deputy Speaker and challenged the Opposition for their 'nasty' approach. He highlighted significant investments made in sewage management on the Isle of Wight by Southern Water, detailing specific projects and community initiatives that significantly reduced water spills. He encouraged further adoption of such schemes and criticised Labour's lack of concrete plans.
Firth defended her local Government's record in improving water quality over the past decade, pointing out improvements in bathing waters classification and reductions in phosphorus and ammonia levels. She emphasised that despite challenges, current initiatives aim to invest £56 billion for modernization and promised transparency on action plans for storm overflow management.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Sewage was discharged into Coniston Water and the River Kent, despite those being more popular bathing sites than many places where that status was granted. In 2021, 12% of the monitoring stations were faulty and 16% were faulty last year, so what we know is probably an underestimate of the state of the problem. There were 827 offences and illegal dumps of sewage in 2021 and 2022, with only 16 being prosecuted. Since privatisation, £65.9 billion has been paid out in water company dividends, and there was a 20% increase in executive pay last year.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
I thank Feargal Sharkey for his work in bringing to life the impact that sewage dumping is having on every part of our country. My hon. Friend the Member for Islwyn pointed out excessive corporate pay, my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood spoke about the effect on biodiversity, and my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport highlighted that bills have gone up by 40%. My hon. Friend the Member for Luton South rightly highlighted the importance of unique habitats provided by chalk streams. The water industry is not operating in the public interest and it is right for the Tories to allow water companies to dump raw sewage into our waters.
Earlier today, the hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton made a truly dire attempt at public speaking in which he avoided most of the questions put to him. One of the critical questions was why the last Labour Government allowed the utility firms to self-monitor. This exemplifies an uncomfortable, corrupting relationship between the last Labour Government and the public utilities.
Rebecca Pow
Con
Taunton Deane
The debate provides a welcome opportunity to address sewage and river pollution. The Government is taking this issue seriously with a comprehensive plan to clean up rivers and coasts, already in operation. There is consensus among colleagues that the Government's approach is pragmatic and costed. Rebecca Pow highlighted contributions from various Conservative MPs supporting the government's stance. She criticised Labour for not having a clear plan and pointed out inconsistencies regarding storm sewage overflow monitoring, noting improvements made since 2015 under this Government. The Environment Act 2021 mandates new discharge reduction plans costing up to £56 billion, with plans to lift caps on fines for water companies that pollute excessively. She also mentioned Ofwat's strengthened executive pay awards and the introduction of near real-time reporting on storm overflows.
Nigel Evans
Con
Crewe and Nantwich
Noted procedural details, announcing how voting will proceed for the Government’s amendment. He clarified that a vote would first take place on the Government's amendment before moving to the main Question.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
Asked Mr Deputy Speaker to address an issue of political material being confiscated from visitors to the House, raising questions about the operation of these rules.
Government Response
The debate provides a welcome opportunity to set the record straight on sewage and what the Government are doing. Not only are we taking this issue extremely seriously, but we are and have been acting... We will vote first on the Government’s amendment.
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