Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what engagement her Department has had with water companies on infrastructure improvements to prevent sewage leaks into the River Wriggle.

I meet regularly with water companies to discuss a range of issues, including the need to reduce sewage discharges into our rivers, seas and lakes. A record £104 billion of private sector investment has been secured to accelerate the cleaning up of our rivers, lakes and seas. This includes over £10 billion to improve about 2,500 storm overflows in England over the next five years.

The Environment Agency maintains regular engagement with Wessex Water to ensure that all investigations and improvement schemes, including those relating to the River Wriggle, are progressing as planned and being delivered to the expected standard. Its engagement supports planning for what should be included in the company’s next Asset Management Period (2030-2035).