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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Progress made but too many water companies still falling short, published on 13 July 2021, when he plans to meet Southern Water to discuss sewage and waste water to spill into the environment; and if he will make it his policy to publish the minutes of that meeting.

The Secretary of State will meet with Southern Water following summer recess.

I met with Southern Water’s CEO and management team in April this year to discuss their environmental performance as part of regular engagement between Ministers, Defra officials and Southern Water. My officials will be meeting with Southern Water this week to discuss their 2020 Environmental Performance Assessment and overall performance.

We do not routinely publish minutes of ministerial meetings.