Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Water Pollution: Accountability

Thursday 12 September 2024 · 5 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Water (Special Measures) Bill bans bonuses for chief executives when environmental standards are not met and brings forward criminal charges for obstruction.
  • The Water (Special Measures) Bill allows regulators to claw back prosecution costs from organisations that pollute.
  • The Secretary of State will meet to discuss the 3.5 million grant for flood resilience measures in detail.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Environment
Context

The public is angry over sewage being released into rivers, lakes and seas. Recent Government action is required to address this.

Question

What recent progress has been made on increasing the accountability of water companies for pollution discharges into waterways?

Answer from Steve Reed

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.

Answered
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Q2 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Environment
Context

Pollution incidents have occurred in the Black Country's canals. The Government needs to address this issue.

Question

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?

Answer from Steve Reed

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.

Answered
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Q3 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Polluted water flooded homes and businesses in Alverstoke due to a tidal surge. Additional funding is needed for flood protection.

Question

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?

Answer from Steve Reed

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a clear timeline for the grant announcement

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Q4 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Environment
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.

Question

Will the Secretary of State guarantee that no regulatory easement will be provided, allowing lower standards or reduced investment by any company?

Answer from Steve Reed

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly confirm that no regulatory easement will be provided

How: Criticising The Hon Gentleman'S Actions As A Minister

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Q5 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Energy Environment
Context

The Secretary of State was not able to clearly answer a previous question about regulatory easements.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that, in fulfilling his obligation to hold water companies to account, he will not issue regulatory easements?

Answer from Steve Reed

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly confirm no regulatory easement will be provided

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