Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

<-- Back to proposed bills

Statement on improving water quality and tackling nutrient pollution

20 July 2022

Proposing MP
George Eustice Con
Camborne and Redruth
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
View on Parliament.uk -->

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement addresses the government's efforts to improve water quality by tackling nutrient pollution through legislative changes and new schemes.

Action Requested

The minister is proposing an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to mandate wastewater treatment upgrades by 2030 in nutrient neutrality areas, establishing a Nutrient Mitigation Scheme with funding from Defra and DLUHC, and revising planning guidance to reflect deliverability of sites affected by nutrient pollution.

Key Facts

  • The amendment will place a new statutory duty on water and sewerage companies to upgrade wastewater treatment works to the highest technically achievable limits by 2030 in nutrient neutrality areas.
  • Natural England will develop a Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, with Defra and DLUHC providing funding for wetland and woodland creation projects.
  • The government will revise planning guidance over the summer to ensure sites affected by nutrient pollution are considered deliverable for housing land supply calculations.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy