Context
Water company executives have awarded themselves over £112 million in bonuses while sewage spills into waterways, prompting calls for increased accountability.
Question
What steps she is taking to increase the accountability of water company executives. After 14 years of water bosses profiting while sewage has spilled into our waterways, this Government are finally setting the record straight. In Southend East and Rochford, we have several organisations dedicated to protecting and preserving our coastlines, from Southend Against Sewage to Waterwatch. Southend has not one but two Labour MPs and a Government who are taking decisive action, so I am reassured that the future of our waterways is in safe hands. Will the Secretary of State update the House on progress on the forthcoming water Bill, and will she meet me to discuss how upcoming legislation could address the regulation of wet wipes and their environmental impact?
Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)
I thank my hon. Friend for his doughty campaigning on this issue. We are already taking forward secondary legislation to ban plastic wet wipes, which are a major source of pollution in our waterways. As I have said previously, this Government are taking decisive action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. We will publish a White Paper later this year, putting forward proposals for fundamental reform of our water system, so that it delivers better outcomes for consumers and the environment.
Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific updates on progress of the forthcoming water Bill or commit to meeting the MP to discuss wet wipes regulation.
How: As I Have Said Previously
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