Water Pollution Accountability 2024-09-12
2024-09-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The public is angry over sewage being released into rivers, lakes and seas. Recent Government action is required to address this.
What recent progress has been made on increasing the accountability of water companies for pollution discharges into waterways?
After 14 years of Conservative failure, this Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill. The Bill bans bonuses for chief executives when environmental standards are not met and brings forward criminal charges for obstruction.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Pollution incidents have occurred in the Black Country's canals. The Government needs to address this issue.
Our canals are important for communities, wildlife, and tourism but pollution is a serious problem. What actions are being taken to protect canals and clean up past failures?
The Water (Special Measures) Bill allows regulators to claw back prosecution costs from organisations that pollute, ensuring better enforcement against those who failed under the previous Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Polluted water flooded homes and businesses in Alverstoke due to a tidal surge. Additional funding is needed for flood protection.
Dozens of homes and businesses were flooded by polluted water from the Alver creek during Storm Pierrick. Without urgent measures, this could be a one-in-20-years scenario. What reassurance can be given about the £3.5 million grant status?
The Secretary of State will meet to discuss this issue in detail. The first meeting of the new flood resilience taskforce is later today, aiming to ensure better coordination between Whitehall and frontline agencies.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a clear timeline for the grant announcement
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Some water companies are better managed than others. The question is about the Secretary of State's obligations to hold water companies accountable without lowering standards.
Will the Secretary of State guarantee that no regulatory easement will be provided, allowing lower standards or reduced investment by any company?
A review of the entire water sector, including regulation, is planned for later this autumn. Regulation needs to be as tough as possible and transparency about practices must be ensured.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly confirm that no regulatory easement will be provided
Criticising The Hon Gentleman'S Actions As A Minister
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State was not able to clearly answer a previous question about regulatory easements.
Will the Secretary of State confirm that, in fulfilling his obligation to hold water companies to account, he will not issue regulatory easements?
We are looking to strengthen regulation. The Water (Special Measures) Bill allows regulators to claw back resources from water companies that have been successfully prosecuted, ensuring better enforcement against further wrongdoing.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly confirm no regulatory easement will be provided
Response accuracy