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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on how frequently the Environment Agency reviews environmental permits issued to sewerage undertakers under the Environment Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

The Environment Agency (EA) periodically reviews environmental permits issued to sewerage undertakers under the Environment Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 to ensure they remain effective and fit for purpose. There is no set frequency for reviewing all permits. The EA undertakes reviews in response to specific triggers, such as new environmental legislation, updated water quality standards, or significant operational changes at sewage treatment facilities.

In addition, the EA conducts routine compliance checks and inspections of sewerage undertakers to assess their adherence to permit conditions. These checks may lead to further review or variation of a permit if necessary to improve environmental protections.

The EA will take action against non-compliance. We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, we will not hesitate to hold companies to account.