Water Sector Reform Consultation 2025-05-08
2025-05-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
South Shields has faced significant water pollution issues, including sewage being dumped in the sea at Whitburn. Little Haven beach recently received a brown flag indicating poor water quality.
I echo the Secretary of State’s initial comments. South Shields has a long-standing problem with sewage being dumped in the sea at Whitburn. Just this week, Little Haven beach was handed a brown flag, and myself and local campaigners are completely fed up. The Environment Agency, Ofwat, Northumbrian Water, the council and the last Government all completely ignored our concerns. We have already requested a meeting with the Water Minister, and I hope she will confirm today that the meeting will happen very soon.
I congratulate my hon. Friend on her tireless work to represent the concerns of people in South Shields about those terrible problems with water pollution. Of course, my hon. Friend voted for the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which has given the regulator many more powers, including the power to ban undeserved multimillion-pound bonuses. I am sure she will be interested to read, as will I, the findings from the Independent Water Commission led by Sir Jon Cunliffe when they come forward in a few weeks’ time.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Confirmation of meeting with the Water Minister
Voted For Legislation
Interested To Read Findings
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Environment Agency's resources were significantly reduced under the previous government, affecting its ability to regulate water pollution.
As we act to protect our rivers and waterways from pollution, regulation will be important. The Environment Agency’s resources were decimated under the Conservatives. How will the 2025 Act give the Environment Agency the powers it needs to hold polluting companies to account?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The previous Government cut resources for regulation in half, and that is one of the ways water companies were able to get away with so much pollution. We have changed the law to allow regulators to recover prosecution costs so that they can carry out further prosecutions and stop those who have been polluting our waterways.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy