Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed has today asked
the Government “what are you waiting for” and challenged them to
introduce an immediate ban on bonuses for polluting water
bosses.
This comes as new Environment Agency data to be released today
has found that last year was worst for sewage spills since
records began. Sewage was discharged for an eyewatering record 4
million hours across England in 2023.
The number of sewage discharges has skyrocketed by 58%, from over
477,000 sewage spills in 2023, compared to 301,091 in 2022.
After 14 years of Tory failure, stinking, toxic sewage is left
destroying our countryside, trashing nature, damaging tourism,
and putting kids’ health at risk. The latest figures show
the number of bathing waters in England receiving a
classification of “poor” were at their highest since 2015.
Despite being responsible for this illegal behaviour, water
company bosses have brazenly awarded themselves over £25 million
in bonuses and incentives since the last election.
Last October, the Labour Party pledged to give the water
regulator powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water
bosses stop dumping sewage in Britain’s waterways.
The Conservatives were shamed into backing Labour’s idea to ban
bonuses - but instead of imposing an immediate ban on bonuses,
they merely launched a consultation to talk about doing
it.
The Tories’ hands-off approach has allowed Britain's waterways to
become an open sewer. Under Labour’s new plans, Ofwat could
have blocked six out of nine water bosses' bonuses last year
because of severe levels of illegal pollution.
Labour has pledged to put failing water companies under tough
special measures to force them to clean up their toxic mess and
protect people’s health.
This includes:
- Giving the water regulator powers to block the payment of any
bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth. We don’t
need the dither and delay of a consultation; we need immediate
action.
- Water bosses who oversee repeated law-breaking will face
criminal charges.
- Ending self-monitoring and forcing all companies to monitor
every single water outlet under independent supervision so
companies can no longer cover up illegal sewage dumping.
- Introducing severe and automatic fines that water companies
can’t afford to ignore for illegal sewage discharges.
Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, , said:
“The Conservatives’ are too weak to get tough with polluting
water companies.
“Instead of imposing Labour’s ban on water bosses’ bonuses,
has weakly chosen to only
talk about doing it.
“The evidence is clear. We don’t need the dither and delay of a
consultation, we need immediate action.
“That is why Labour will put the water companies under tough
special measures. We will strengthen regulation so law-breaking
water bosses face criminal charges, and give the regulator new
powers to block the payment of bonuses until water bosses have
cleaned up their filth.”
Ends
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