← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Rivers, Lakes and Seas: Water Quality
15 January 2025
Lead MP
Catherine Fookes
Monmouthshire
Lab
Responding Minister
Emma Hardy
Tags
EconomyEmployment
Word Count: 14104
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Catherine Fookes raised concerns about rivers, lakes and seas: water quality in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should support the development of an integrated Wye catchment management plan that uses best available evidence for remedial measures to clean up the river.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The health of rivers such as the Wye and Usk is declining due to phosphate pollution, leading to algal blooms that starve fish and plants of oxygen. The Wye SAC condition assessment in 2023 was unfavourable-declining based on declines in water quality, Atlantic salmon, and white-clawed crayfish.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
River Esk in Yorkshire faces sewage discharges from 18 storm overflows with 637 spills recorded in 2023. Urges the Government to ensure proper infrastructure and regulation.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
Andrew Cooper acknowledges the importance of waterways for Mid Cheshire's economy and environment. He discusses sewage discharges caused by under-investment in sewerage infrastructure and supports Government efforts to address this issue through legislation. The Environment Agency's budget was cut from £170 million to £76 million, affecting environmental protection efforts.
Anna Gelderd
Lab
South East Cornwall
Addressed water quality issues in South East Cornwall, mentioning sewage dumping impacting tourism and public health, and highlighted local efforts to improve river conditions.
Tewkesbury
The River Avon in Tewkesbury suffered 6,573 sewage spills in 2023 and the River Severn had over 30,000 hours of sewage release. Local groups have recorded high nitrate and phosphate pollution levels which harm wildlife and are dangerous to people.
Catherine Fookes agreed on the importance of tackling diffuse pollution from agriculture. She highlighted examples like Avara's waste management practices in Herefordshire, but noted that long-term problems remain unsolved.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Criticised Thames Water’s 35% water bill increase and its mismanagement in Wokingham, highlighting sewage spills. Urged the Minister to implement a special administrative regime for Thames Water.
Dave Robertson
Lab
Lichfield
A serious pollution incident involving hydrocarbons occurred in Bown Pond in Fradley, resulting in the death of fish and harm to swans. The Environment Agency needs more resources for investigations and prosecutions.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
The rivers in David Chadwick's constituency are heavily polluted. He supports the concerns raised about previous government failures to tackle water pollution and highlights the impact on local communities.
Winchester
Highlighted the unique biodiversity of chalk streams and the need for special protective status, calling for a recovery plan specific to chalk streams.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
The Lugg, a tributary of the Wye, is heavily affected by pollution causing economic damage. Calls for additional measures and proper funding to tackle agricultural pollution. Asked if the previous £35 million plan violated the 'polluter pays' principle and requested support for nature-friendly farming in the Wye catchment.
Emma Hardy
Lab
Nottingham North
Summarised efforts to improve water quality, noting collaboration with local communities and farmers while committing to work on River Wye plans.
Epsom and Ewell
Helen Maguire highlights the continued worsening of sewage discharge issues despite recent efforts, urging for more ambitious actions by the government to hold water companies accountable.
Chichester
In Chichester, there were 990 sewage spills in rivers and harbours lasting over 17,000 hours. The hon. Member agrees that the Water (Special Measures) Bill is welcome but could go further on regulation by giving Ofwat more authority.
Jesse Norman
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
Asked Catherine Fookes to support his request that the Government reconsider the River Wye action plan and preserve the £35 million funding for river restoration.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon provides a Northern Ireland perspective on river pollution and its sources, mentioning agricultural run-off as one of the main contributors. He inquires about discussions with farmers' unions regarding reducing fertiliser use.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Commended the debate's importance regarding water quality and praised the Government’s Water (Special Measures) Bill for addressing poor performance of water companies.
Julia Buckley
Lab
Shrewsbury
Described sewage dumping by Severn Trent Water in Shrewsbury, affecting wildlife and residents’ health. Welcomed the Water (Special Measures) Bill for increased accountability of water companies.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Agreed with Catherine Fookes that government action is necessary rather than relying on pressure groups such as Feargal Sharkey's campaign.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Hidden River Cabins in Carlisle offers secluded cabins by the River Lyne, one of few safe spots for swimming. However, 40 sites across the constituency were polluted in 2023 due to inadequate regulation.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Ms Billington raised concerns about sewage dumping by Southern Water near Ramsgate, emphasizing the need for the new independent water commission to introduce local accountability and explore different governance models.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
South East Cornwall’s natural environment is priceless, and the government should take action to improve water quality, protect the environment, enhance public health, and secure livelihoods.
Olivia Bailey
Lab
Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Welcomed actions by the Government to penalise water bosses who pollute and called for real action on phosphate stripping at sewage works in her constituency.
South Cambridgeshire
Chalk streams are under threat due to chemical pollution, water shortages and sewage dumping by water companies. Emphasises need for a holistic review of regulatory system including chalk streams.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
The hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley highlighted the improvements made under previous Conservative Governments, including the introduction of the Environment Act in 2021 and a plan for water that focused on more investment, stronger regulation, and tougher enforcement. Water companies have not been meeting their environmental obligations for a long time, leading to monitoring implementation. Requests explanation from the Minister on why the water restoration fund is being discontinued.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Robin Swann brought attention to Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland and discussed severe cyanobacteria blooms affecting the lake. He emphasized the need for partnership with farmers and adherence to seasonal farming practices. Asked if the Minister has discussed water quality improvement with Northern Ireland’s DAERA Minister.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Sarah Dyke thanked the hon. Member for securing the debate and expressed concerns about DEFRA's pause on access to grants such as the slurry infrastructure grant, which helps livestock farmers ensure nutrients do not enter watercourses.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The Liberal Democrats champion cleaning up waters, highlighting issues such as sewage dumping in rivers, lakes, and seas, impacting ecology, biodiversity, water quality, and tourism. The impunity for pollution needs addressing.
Government Response
Emma Hardy
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government Response
Acknowledges the previous Government's failures in managing water quality issues. Announces £104 billion investment over five years to improve water quality and support job creation. Emphasises the need to address agricultural run-off and phosphates in rivers. Discussed ongoing initiatives such as the Water (Special Measures) Bill and investments in infrastructure, highlighted collaboration with water companies and regulatory bodies to improve water quality. Emphasised work on River Wye catchment partnership.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.