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Written question asked by Steve Race (Labour) on Thursday, 25 July 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 July 2024. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Friday, 2 August 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

River Exe: Pollution Control

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the levels of pollution in the River Exe.

Answer

The Secretary of State recently met with water company bosses, including South West Water, to make it clear that water firms will be held accountable for their performance for customers and the environment. During the meeting, water bosses signed up to the Government’s initial package of reforms to reduce sewage pollution and attract investment to upgrade infrastructure.

The Government also announced a new Water (Special Measures) Bill, which will turn around the performance of water companies, in the King’s Speech. The Bill will strengthen regulation, give the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met and increase accountability for water executives. These are the first critical steps in enabling a long-term and transformative reset of the entire water sector.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1898
Session
2024-26
Related items
First steps to reform water sector
Thursday, 18 July 2024
Written statements
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Pollution control River Exe
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk