Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Waterway Cleanliness

Thursday 14 March 2024 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government increased monitoring of storm overflows in England to 100% from 7% under previous administration.
  • Government committed to 180 million fast-track investment to prevent sewage spills.
  • Response to Labour concerns: Wales under Labour administration shows worse pollution than England under current government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Crabb Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The Department's progress on improving water quality was questioned.

Question

What recent progress has the Department made on improving water quality? The question highlights the importance of clean water to the public and concerns about pollution in waterways.

Answer from Robbie Moore

We have increased monitoring of storm overflows in England from 7% under Labour in 2010 to 100% today. We are holding water companies accountable through quadrupling checks, increasing unannounced inspections, giving Ofwat new powers to block bonuses and linking dividends to environmental performance.

Answered
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Q2 Mick Whitley
Energy Environment
Context

Concerns were raised about water bills potentially rising by nearly 40% in the north-west due to infrastructure upgrades.

Question

Do the Government agree that water companies should bear costs for sewage management rather than consumers? Water companies have committed £96 billion investment, but recent announcements suggest an additional £180 million fast-track investment over a year to prevent sewage spills.

Answer from Robbie Moore

The Government are clear that no one should pay extra for water companies cleaning up rivers. We have seen commitments for £96 billion investment over five years and announced a fast-track £180 million investment to prevent sewage spills.

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Energy Environment
Context

Concerns were raised about sewage releases in York, with water company executives receiving £10 million bonuses.

Question

When will the Minister end profiteering by investing in upgrading York's sewerage infrastructure? Water companies are promising a £96 billion investment over five years and Ofwat has new powers to limit bonuses for poor environmental performance.

Answer from Robbie Moore

Water companies have committed to invest £96 billion. Yorkshire Water is addressing sewage pollution, and Ofwat has power to restrict bonuses if companies pollute.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for upgrading York's sewage system was not provided

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Q4 Stephen Crabb Con
Wales Environment
Context

Concerns were raised about the lack of legally binding targets for reducing sewage pollution and upgrading wastewater treatment plants in Wales.

Question

In Wales, where there are no legally binding targets to reduce sewage or upgrade waste water treatment plants, and no prosecutions due to policy against prosecuting companies. Which party runs the Administration in Wales?

Answer from Robbie Moore

I share concerns about Labour's failure to tackle spills, noting only 7% of storm overflows were monitored under Labour, compared with 100% today. Ninety percent of bathing waters are now classed as good or excellent.

Not addressed: Specific measures for tackling sewage pollution in Wales

How: Redirecting To Compare With Labour

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Q5 Therese Coffey Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Discussion about the use of performic acid in water treatment.

Question

Drinking water is treated with UV light and chlorine before reaching taps, but not necessarily disinfected unless heading towards designated bathing waters. France uses performic acid for treating Seine during Olympics; Southwold uses it too. Why has DEFRA been reluctant to roll out this method?

Answer from Robbie Moore

I am having conversations with officials from the Environment Agency and DEFRA on this issue. I am more than happy to meet to discuss further.

Not addressed: Specific plan for expanding performic acid use

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Q6 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Environment
Context

Criticism of the Government's approach to water quality, noting that no English river is in a good overall condition.

Question

Despite recent progress on water quality, 'State of Our Rivers' report indicates not one English river is in a good condition. The only solution considered was stolen from Labour. Is it true that Britain's rivers cannot afford five more years of this Government?

Answer from Robbie Moore

When the Leader of Opposition says Wales would be blueprint, I fear. We see worse pollution under Welsh Labour. Our plan is about investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement against polluters.

Not addressed: Specific impact on rivers

How: Criticism Of Opposition

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