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Written question asked by Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour) on Friday, 19 July 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 July 2024. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Monday, 29 July 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sewage: Poole

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle sewage discharges by Wessex Water in Poole constituency.

Answer

The Secretary of State recently met with water company bosses, including Wessex 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 cut sewage dumping 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 also 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
861
Session
2024-26
Related items
First steps to reform water sector
Thursday, 18 July 2024
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Pollution Sewage Wessex Water Poole
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk