Independent Water Commission Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Claire Hazelgrove
Main Page: Claire Hazelgrove (Labour - Filton and Bradley Stoke)Department Debates - View all Claire Hazelgrove's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Independent Water Commission
Claire Hazelgrove Excerpts(1 day, 18 hours ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Steve Reed
I agree with much of what the hon. Lady says. Her constituents are experiencing what constituents across the country are experiencing. It is not acceptable and it will not continue. We will publish the White Paper in the autumn, with a consultation alongside it, and we intend to move to legislation during the first half of this Parliament.
Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Lab)
Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas could not be more important. Having served on the Water (Special Measures) Bill Committee, I was glad that our Government have moved so quickly to begin that vital work. I welcome the further measures announced today. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that he will bring in the next changes as quickly as possible?
Steve Reed
I agree: it is important that these changes are brought in as quickly as possible. The state of our water sector, given the levels of pollution in our waterways and the unacceptable bill hikes that customers experienced last year, is a national scandal. We cannot allow things to continue. We will move at the greatest possible speed, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will hold our feet to the fire.