Labour pledges to put water companies under special measures as hospital admissions for waterborne diseases skyrocket by two-thirds under the Tories
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The number of people admitted to hospital for water-borne diseases
has skyrocketed under the Tories as sewage continues to pollute
Britain's rivers, lakes and seas. Cases of waterborne diseases -
including dysentery and Weil's disease - have increased by nearly
60% since 2010. Analysis of NHS hospital admissions statistics
reveal that the number of people admitted to hospital with diseases
transmitted via water-borne infection has increased from 2,085
people in 2010/11 to...Request free
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The number of people admitted to hospital for water-borne diseases has skyrocketed under the Tories as sewage continues to pollute Britain's rivers, lakes and seas. Cases of waterborne diseases - including dysentery and Weil's disease - have increased by nearly 60% since 2010. Analysis of NHS hospital admissions statistics reveal that the number of people admitted to hospital with diseases transmitted via water-borne infection has increased from 2,085 people in 2010/11 to 3,286 in 2022/23. In the last year alone, 122 people were diagnosed with Leptospirosis (Weil's disease), double the number diagnosed with the same disease in 2010. According to the NHS, one of the primary causes of someone contracting Weil's disease is through polluted water, where infected urine gets in your mouth, eyes or a cut, usually during activities such as kayaking, outdoor swimming or fishing. This comes as new Environment Agency data released this week has found that last year was worst for sewage spills since records began. Sewage was discharged for an eyewatering record 3.6 million hours across England in 2023. The number of sewage discharges has skyrocketed by 54%, from over 464,092 sewage spills in 2023, compared to 301,291 in 2022. The analysis exposes the horrific impact of the Tory sewage crisis that is destroying our countryside, trashing nature, damaging tourism and putting people's 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. 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:
Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, said: “It is sickening that this Conservative Government has turned a blind eye to illegal sewage dumping that has put thousands of people in hospital. “To make matters worse, consumers face higher water bills while water bosses pocket millions in bonuses. “Labour will put the water companies under special measures to clean up water. We will strengthen regulation so law-breaking water bosses face criminal charges, and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth. “With Labour, the polluter - not the public - will pay.” ENDS Notes
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