Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Water Pollution

Thursday 14 November 2024 · 3 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

  • The Department is placing water companies under special measures and banning unfair bonuses.
  • The Government will consider a national environmental monitoring strategy for water volumes and storm overflows.
  • Points about polluters funding enforcement actions will be included in the Water (Special Measures) Bill.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Environment
Context

Water companies have discharged record levels of sewage into rivers under the previous government, leaving waterways in a polluted state.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent water pollution by utility companies?

Answer from Steve Reed

We are placing water companies under special measures with legislation banning unfair bonuses and launching a root and branch review of the sector. Legislation will go through Parliament.

Answered
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Q2 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Environment
Context

The River Avon and its tributaries in Stratford-on-Avon have been heavily polluted by untreated sewage, monitored through citizen science projects like SafeAvon.

Question

Will the Government commit to a national environmental monitoring strategy and require water companies to monitor volumes as well as duration of storm overflows?

Answer from Steve Reed

The catchment-based approach to water will be considered, and the point about monitoring will be evaluated by Sir Jon Cunliffe's commission. Submissions for review are due in 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a national environmental monitoring strategy and volume monitoring of storm overflows.

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Q3 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Energy Environment
Context

Laws need to be enforced with adequate resources, and the question is about how enforcement agencies can be self-funded through fines levied on polluting water firms.

Question

Will the Secretary of State consider how enforcement agencies might be self-funding through money raised from fines levied on polluting water firms?

Answer from Steve Reed

Points regarding polluters paying for further enforcement action will be brought into the Water (Special Measures) Bill, creating a virtuous circle to clean up waterways.

Answered
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