Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Steve Reed and Tom Gordon

Thursday 6th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

I am more than happy to ask the Minister for water, my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice (Emma Hardy), to meet the hon. Gentleman, who raises an important point. I have asked Sir Jon Cunliffe to look at how we can better manage this as part of the work he is leading.

[Tom Gordon (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (LD)]

3. What steps he is taking to help reduce sewage in rivers.

[Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) (Green)]

5. What steps he is taking to help improve the health of rivers.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)]

The previous Government did nothing as water companies discharged record levels of sewage into our waterways. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will create new powers, including banning water companies that pollute from paying bonuses, and bringing criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers. Ofwat has confirmed a record £104 billion investment to fix our broken water infrastructure and end the Tory sewage scandal once and for all.

[Tom Gordon]

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, the River Nidd regularly overflows with sewage. When I visited the Killinghall sewage treatment works last year, a key thing that came to light was that water companies are putting in infrastructure to manage the current sewage issue, rather than future-proofing. What steps will the Minister take to ensure we build sewage works that meet both current and future demand?

[Steve Reed]

The money announced in Ofwat’s final determination before Christmas will create record levels of investment in our water system to do precisely what the hon. Gentleman says, dealing with the current sewage problems while also putting in place the infrastructure to manage and meet future demand.