Oral QuestionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

What steps he is taking to tackle river pollution.

Tabled: 12 June 2025Answered: 19 June 2025

Asked by

Catherine Fookes

LabourMonmouthshire

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Answer from Hansard

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

My hon. Friend will be aware that we inherited record levels of sewage pollution in our waterways from the previous Government. Since the election, we have launched the biggest crackdown on water pollution in history: unfair bonuses have been banned for water company executives, and water bosses who cover up pollution crimes now face up to two years in prison. We will also invest a record £104 billion of private funding to upgrade crumbling sewage pipes and reduce discharges by nearly 50% within five years.