Independent Water Commission Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Stephen Flynn
Main Page: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)Department Debates - View all Stephen Flynn's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Independent Water Commission
Stephen Flynn Excerpts(1 day, 18 hours ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Steve Reed
My hon. Friend makes a very good point. I believe that one of the reasons why the relationship between Ofwat and the water companies became far too cosy is the instruction that Ofwat received from Ministers in the previous Government to apply only light-touch regulation, when what was needed was a firm grip on what was going on. It is astonishing that the Conservatives thought it was a good idea to strip out resources and tell the regulator to go soft on the companies given the abuses that were taking place. That has ended now, and we are moving to a model of effective regulation that will protect bill payers and clean up our rivers.
Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP)
In expressing his opposition to the nationalisation of water just yesterday, the Secretary of State did not mention the fact that, under Scottish Water, bills in Scotland are £113 cheaper, or the fact that 97% of Scotland’s bathing waters meet the quality standards expected. No—what he said of Scottish Water was that
“pollution in rivers in Scotland is worse than in England.”
I have consulted the House of Commons Library and just 14% of rivers in England meet the quality standards expected, whereas 58.2% of Scotland’s do. Trust in politics matters, so he will correct the record today, won’t he?