Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Water Companies: Water Pollution and Overflows

Thursday 19 October 2023 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tom Randall asked about steps to reduce water pollution and overflows, to which the response highlighted a 60 billion plan by the Conservative Government for storm sewage overflows.
  • Tom Randall also inquired about the credibility of the Conservatives' water plan, receiving a response stating that the Conservatives have the only costed and comprehensive plan, unlike Labour and Liberals.
  • Chi Onwurah questioned the quality of North Sea water for swimming, with the response noting that ninety three percent of coastal bathing water is good or excellent.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Randall
Environment
Context

The question arises from concerns about water pollution and unsatisfactory overflows, particularly highlighting the need for government intervention.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to require water companies to help reduce water pollution and unsatisfactory overflows. The hon. Member has raised issues around storm sewage overflows and the investment required for improvements.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

My hon. Friend is right, no Government in history have taken a more comprehensive approach. This Conservative Government are delivering £60 billion for storm sewage overflows under their plan, with monitoring that reveals illegal discharges previously untracked by Labour.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or regulations being implemented to require water companies to reduce pollution and unsatisfactory overflows.

How: No Government In History Have Taken A More Comprehensive Approach

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Q2 Tom Randall
Environment
Context

The hon. Member aims to differentiate the Conservative plan from other parties by highlighting their investment and monitoring efforts.

Question

Can my hon. Friend confirm that it is only the Conservatives' plan for water that is credible, costed and comprehensive? The questioner also points out discrepancies in sewage discharges between Wales and England under different political regimes.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

As ever, my hon. Friend is right on the button. We are the only party with a costed, credible plan. Labour and Liberals lack comparable measures, especially evident in Wales where no enforcement or fines have been issued.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific evidence of the Conservative Government's plans being more effective than others beyond general claims.

How: As Ever, My Hon. Friend Is Right On The Button

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Q3 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Environment
Context

The question arises from concerns about bathing water quality due to potential discharges from water companies.

Question

Should constituents worry about the quality of North sea water for swimming? The hon. Member suggests automatic fines for discharges could improve water quality.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Ninety three per cent of bathing water around our coast is good or excellent. This indicates a high standard of water quality despite concerns raised by the hon. Member.

Answered
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Q4 Robert Goodwill Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The hon. Member highlights issues with Scarborough's South Bay not having a blue flag due to complex sources of pollution.

Question

Will the Minister take a personal interest in the work of the taskforce convened by North Yorkshire Council to address the problem? The questioner notes that discharges come from multiple sources including sea birds, dogs, and ruminants.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

My right hon. Friend highlights that the issue is complex. That is why our plan takes a holistic approach and launched a £34 million slurry fund to help farmers reduce pollution from watercourses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not confirm if the Minister would take personal interest in the work of the taskforce but instead provided information on their plan's approach.

How: That Is Why Our Plan Takes A Holistic Approach

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Q5 Barry Sheerman Lab
Environment
Context

The hon. Member criticises the current Government's record on sewage discharge into rivers and oceans.

Question

I have never heard such codswallop in all my time in the House. The hon. Member expresses frustration with increased sewage discharges under privatisation, contrasting it with improvements seen since the tideway tunnel project started.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I had a meeting about the Thames tideway tunnel yesterday. The project has increased wildlife near Lee tunnel, and upon completion will be the biggest means of cleaning up the Thames ever put in place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address criticisms or provide specific data on sewage discharge levels but rather highlighted benefits from a new project.

How: I Had A Meeting About The Thames Tideway Tunnel Yesterday

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Q6 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Energy Environment
Context

The hon. Member raises issues about record levels of illegal sewage discharges under current Government oversight.

Question

Last year saw record levels of illegal sewage discharges after cuts to enforcement and water bosses rewarded themselves with £10 million in bonuses while hiking bills for consumers. The hon. Member asks if the polluter should pay rather than consumers.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I have already said that Labour has no credible costed plan. We changed regulation, ensuring no dividends or bonuses can be paid if there is any environmental damage. There were no fines under the previous government; indeed, they faced legal action from the European Commission.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not adopt Labour's plan and instead criticised it while highlighting changes made by their Government.

How: I Have Already Said That Labour Has No Credible Costed Plan

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