Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Monitoring Sewage Overflows: Scotland

Thursday 8 May 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Murray criticized the SNP government for not properly monitoring sewage overflows in Scotland.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged Chris Murray's concerns and highlighted the UK Government's efforts in tackling sewage pollution.
  • Alison Griffiths questioned the Secretary of State about the increase in water bills for her constituents and the potential mismanagement by water companies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Scotland Environment
Context

Chris Murray references the issue of sewage-related debris on beaches in his constituency, highlighting a lack of proper monitoring of sewage overflows by the Scottish Government under the SNP.

Question

The beautiful beaches of my constituency are marred by sewage-related debris. In Scotland, under the SNP, we do not even properly monitor sewage overflows. Meanwhile, in England, the Labour Government are making great strides to improve water quality—how I wish we had that in Scotland. Will the Secretary of State commit to working as constructively as possible with his counterparts in the Scottish Government so that they can learn from here how we can improve water quality in Scotland?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for highlighting the pollution and sewage on beaches that so concern his constituents. It is deeply disappointing that the SNP Government in Edinburgh are not following the UK Government’s lead in tackling sewage pollution. I agree with my hon. Friend that his constituents, like mine, and everyone else in Scotland and right across the UK deserve to enjoy sewage-free lakes, rivers and beaches. Sadly, that does not seem to be what they are getting from the SNP.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to working constructively with Scottish Government counterparts on monitoring practices and improving water quality

How: Dismissing The Issue, Criticizing The Opposition

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Q2 Alison Griffiths Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Energy Environment
Context

Alison Griffiths mentions that constituents in her constituency have experienced significant increases in their water bills.

Question

My constituents in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton have been subjected to an enormous increase in their water bills. Will the Secretary of State reassure the House that his water review will seek ways to prevent the costs of water companies’ mismanagement being passed on to their customers?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)

I am sure that the hon. Lady will be reassured to hear that the Government have ringfenced money that is earmarked for investment in water infrastructure so that it can no longer be diverted for payments on bonuses and dividends. If water companies attempt to do anything of the kind, the money will be refunded to their customers through a discount on their bills.

Answered
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