Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sewage Discharge

Thursday 8 September 2022 · 8 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister instructed water chief executives to submit plans for significant improvements by September 21.
  • Government introduced monitoring and the Environment Act 2021, enabling the Environment Agency to impose unlimited fines on water companies.
  • Response ruled out bill increases that would have added 122 to household bills.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Environment
Context

Sewage discharge into rivers, inland waterways, and the sea has caused environmental concerns.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers, inland waterways, and the sea? The volume of sewage spewed out by water companies is unacceptable, causing public outrage. What specific actions will be taken?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I instructed water chief executives to write to me formally by 21 September with a plan for significant improvements. I also met the Environment Agency and Ofwat, instructing them to use every enforcement power available to ensure compliance. Further action will be taken if necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on immediate actions were not provided

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Q2 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Environment
Context

The River Wandle has had a significant water pollution incident, including human sewage. Fines for Thames Water have been insufficient to address the issue.

Question

What actions will be taken to improve the situation of water pollution in the River Wandle and other London rivers? The Environment Agency previously said fines were not sufficient. What specific steps are being taken now?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The Government introduced monitoring and the Environment Act 2021, allowing the Environment Agency to levy unlimited fines on water companies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific improvements or steps beyond legislative measures were not detailed

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Q3 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
NHS Environment
Context

Sewage overflows have led to the closure of beaches and loss of income for local businesses.

Question

Will the Minister demand that Southern Water compensate Sussex seaside businesses affected by sewage overflows? Beachside cafés in Seaford and tourist hotspots in Eastbourne lost money due to beach closures. Will compensation be sought?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The Government have been working on the issue, passing the Environment Act 2021 and setting out £56 billion of capital investment. The Liberal Democrats' plan would result in sewage flowing back into homes.

Not addressed: Question about compensation was not addressed; instead criticized opposition's proposal

How: Criticising The Opposition

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Q4 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Environment
Context

Northumbrian Water has paid billions in dividends despite sewage dumping issues. Over 100 beaches have pollution warnings for untreated sewage.

Question

Will the new Minister take urgent action regarding sewage discharge by companies like Northumbrian Water? The last Minister refused to act on this issue, and beaches are now closed due to pollution warnings.

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The Government passed the Environment Act 2021 and set out £56 billion of capital investment. We ruled out rises that would have added £122 to household bills.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Question about immediate action was not directly answered; provided general actions instead

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Q5 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Housing Energy Environment
Context

Innovative systems from abroad could be implemented to improve housing planning and infrastructure.

Question

Will the Secretary of State look at sustainable development systems, such as those used in China and North America, for revising planning laws to build needed housing?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We should look at innovation from around the world to ensure we are transforming our infrastructure, including in the water system.

Not addressed: No specific consideration or action was detailed

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Q6 Daniel Kawczynski Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Flood concerns on the River Severn and discharge issues have been raised by residents of Coton Hill.

Question

Will the Secretary of State accept an invitation to visit the River Severn, meet with residents, and hear their concerns about flooding and discharge?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

I would be delighted to visit at the earliest opportunity and for other Ministers to do the same.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No firm commitment on timing or plan of action was given

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Q7 Maria Caulfield Con
Environment
Context

Liberal Democrats are focusing on the constituency, suggesting a plan that would result in sewage backing up into homes.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree with his hon. Friend that Liberal Democrats need to be honest about their plans leading to sewage backups during heavy rainfall? The Government's £56 billion investment is presented as the only sustainable solution.

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

My hon. Friend is right that although storm overflows should not be used, they are a safety valve to prevent raw sewage flooding into homes.

Not addressed: Question about honesty was not directly answered; instead clarified the issue of storm overflows

How: Clarifying Issues

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Q8 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Energy Environment
Context

Over the summer, water companies were allowed to dump sewage on 90 beaches. This affected local businesses in coastal areas which are crucial for visitor economies. Water bosses have been accused of not taking regulatory bodies seriously and profiting from the situation.

Question

Water companies dumped sewage on 90 beaches over the summer, impacting local businesses in coastal hotspots that are already struggling financially. The Secretary of State is satisfied with a phone call to water bosses but does he not realise they are exploiting this situation? Without tougher penalties including prison sentences, their behaviour will not change.

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

The hon. Gentleman was expected to be constructive but instead he is playing politics. The water companies will report back in two weeks and legislation has been passed allowing for unlimited fines through a criminal process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided addressing the need for tougher sanctions including prison sentences as requested.

How: Playing Politics

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