Independent Water Commission

David Burton-Sampson Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

Not only should we never abandon bill payers, but we never will abandon them. We are revolutionising the entire water sector so that customers’ interests are right at the heart of it in a way they have never been before.

[David Burton-Sampson (Southend West and Leigh) (Lab)]

I congratulate the Secretary of State and his team on their steadfast commitment to cleaning up our waterways, and on today’s welcome announcements. My constituents care greatly about cleaning up the scourge of sewage being pumped into our waters—our beautiful estuary—after years of neglect by the Conservative party. I also note the Government’s commitment to banning wet wipes that contain plastic, which we discussed at our recent water summit in Southend. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the concerns that were raised about the actual flush-ability of some wipes that are marked as being flushable?

[Steve Reed]

I share my hon. Friend’s concerns, as does the Water Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice (Emma Hardy). We would be happy to make sure he gets his meeting.