Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pollution of Waterways

Thursday 19 December 2024 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Bill aims to ban bonuses for executives responsible for sewage pollution in rivers and seas.
  • The Bill will prevent companies from paying undeserved bonuses, ensuring money is spent on infrastructure improvements instead.
  • Sir Jon Cunliffe's commission is reviewing all sources of pollution, including agriculture.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Connor Rand Lab Altrincham and Sale West
Environment
Context

The public is concerned about sewage polluting rivers, lakes, and seas. Water companies are responsible for significant pollution.

Question

What progress has been made on reducing pollution in waterways? The Government's programme aims to ban the payment of undeserved bonuses to executives who fail to address pollution issues.

Answer from Steve Reed

The Bill will place water companies under special measures, banning bonuses for executives responsible for sewage polluting rivers and seas. The review aims to shape further legislation that will clean up rivers, lakes, and seas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timelines or commitments were not provided on how the Bill will ensure the end of sewage dumping in Altrincham and Sale West.

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Q2 Connor Rand Lab Altrincham and Sale West
Environment
Context

Last year, there were 3,366 hours of sewage dumping in Altrincham and Sale West's waterways, leaving them in poor condition.

Question

Will the Secretary of State outline how the Water (Special Measures) Bill will ensure the end of sewage dumping into rivers and streams for good? The Bill aims to ban bonuses for executives responsible for pollution.

Answer from Steve Reed

The Bill will prevent companies from paying undeserved bonuses, ensuring money is spent on infrastructure improvements instead. This should stop sewage dumping into rivers and streams.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for Altrincham and Sale West were not detailed.

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Q3 Ellie Chowns Green North Herefordshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The all-party parliamentary group on water pollution recognises that agricultural run-off is a significant source of pollution, similar to sewage dumping.

Question

Will the Secretary of State tackle agricultural pollution with urgency and focus? The issue requires funding, support for farmers, and clear regulatory enforcement for a level playing field. Over 40% of pollution comes from agricultural run-off.

Answer from Steve Reed

Sir Jon Cunliffe's commission is reviewing all sources of pollution, including agriculture. Budgets for sustainable farming practices and a farming road map are being developed to reduce fertilizer use and run-off.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding amounts or enforcement measures were not detailed.

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Q4 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Energy Environment
Context

Customers are concerned about Thames Water's environmental obligations and service commitments.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that no regulatory easement will be issued to Thames Water, so its environmental obligations remain in place? The third time this has been asked in this Chamber.

Answer from Steve Reed

The Government are monitoring closely and placing water companies under tough regulatory special measures. No previous easements were given by the current or previous Governments to ease environmental obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on no easement for Thames Water was not confirmed.

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