Oral QuestionTreasury

“If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”

Tabled: 28 October 2026Answered: 3 November 2026

Asked by

Catherine Atkinson

Labour — Derby North

Answering Minister

the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)

The public are sick and tired of the scandal of sewage polluting our rivers, lakes and seas. That is why we are taking immediate action to place water companies under special measures through a new Bill that will give the regulator the power to ban the payment of undeserved bonuses for polluting water companies and bring criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers. We are also carrying out the biggest review of the water sector since privatisation to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.