For the first time the Government has made a pledge to cut sewage pollution with a clear target which they will be held accountable to.
Together with the action already put in place, the recently published White Paper will introduce a powerful single regulator with a clear mission, an independent Ombudsman and statutory resilience standards.
As someone who has made protecting our precious natural environment a priority in Parliament, Stephen has welcomed these measures and others which will open up monitoring to restore public trust and accountability.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good.
In one of the largest infrastructure projects in this country’s history, a record £104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes and build new sewage treatment works cutting sewage pollution into rivers.
I will continue to take action in Parliament to cut pollution and restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health for future generations.”
For examples of Stephen’s work on this priority click here.
Action taken to clean up our waterways, since July 2024:
- Record investment: with £104 billion to upgrade crumbling pipes and build sewage treatment works across the country.
- Ringfence customers’ bills for upgrades: customer bills earmarked for investment must now be spent on new sewage pipes and treatment works – not spent on shareholder payments or bonuses.
- Reinvesting company fines into local projects: with over £100million being invested into local clean-up projects in communities.
- Largest budget for water regulation: the Environment Agency received a record £189 million to fund hundreds of enforcement officers to inspect and prosecute polluting water companies.
- Polluter Pays: companies will now cover the cost of prosecutions and successful investigations into pollution incidents, enabling the regulator to hire more staff and pursue further enforcement activity.
- Banning wet wipes containing plastic in England: introducing legislation to reduce microplastics in our waters.
- The Water (Special Measures) Act: banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and threatened prison sentences for law-breaking executives.
