Stephen Morgan MP has reaffirmed his commitment to taking action to protect Portsmouth’s waters following his recent event bringing together experts, constituents and campaigners.
At the recent Cuppa and Chat coffee morning attended by constituents and hosted by Mr Morgan, Alex Ford, Professor of Biology at the University of Portsmouth gave a presentation on the latest findings from his research.
The local action follows Ministers publishing the Water ‘White Paper’, with the Government announcing an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good.
The City MP has welcomed efforts to reform the water industry and continues to campaign to protect our city’s waters from pollution and sewage dumping, with the Government intent on cutting pollution and restoring our rivers, lakes and seas to good health for future generations.
The White Paper introduces a new powerful single regulator and Chief Engineer, as part of stronger, prevention first regulation.
This means nowhere to hide poor performance, building on action already taken to ban bonuses, secure record levels of investment and introduce tougher laws in the sector.
Commenting on the event, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Protecting our precious natural environment is a priority of mine in Parliament which is why this local event was so important.
“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. I welcome these measures and others which will open up monitoring to restore public trust and accountability.
On future action, the MP added:
“Whilst much has been done in recent months to improve water quality, there is much more to do.
I want our rivers, lakes and seas to be the cleanest since records began, meaning millions of families should be able to benefit from cleaner beaches and rivers.
That’s why I am taking back ideas and concerns to Westminster as a result of the recent local event and I thank all those who came along to have their say.”
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.
Find out more about Mr Morgan’s commitment to cutting sewage pollution and improving water quality here.
