Context
The River Medway in Lauren Edwards' constituency saw over 200 sewage outflows in 2024, with projections for higher numbers this year. Water consumers face rising bills over the next five years.
Question
Will the Minister outline how the Government are delivering a fairer system to clean up waterways such as the River Medway? It saw over 200 sewage outflows in 2024 and the estimates for this year are even higher, while consumers are also facing rising bills over the next five years. Will she set out the support that will be available for consumers? A polluter should pay, and the water company should be diverting profits to improve its ageing infrastructure.
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I thank her for raising that important issue and for her work on it and her passion. She is right to point out as well that the Environment Agency budget was cut by half under the previous Government, which left it powerless to clamp down on polluting water companies. We have been clear that the amount of sewage discharged into our waters is unacceptable. That is why we have already banned unfair bonuses for water bosses, introduced tougher automatic penalties to clamp down on pollution and secured money to upgrade storm overflows across England. But we are not stopping there; we will also release a water White Paper which will set out long term reforms to strengthen regulation, tackle pollution and accelerate the delivery of water infrastructure.
Not addressed: The Minister did not specify what support would be available for consumers facing rising bills or how profits from water companies might be redirected to improve infrastructure.
Was this summary accurate? Tell us
How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)