Dr Neil Hudson MP again addressed the House of Commons, emphasising the critical need to hold water companies to account for their alarming levels of sewage pollution.
With the environmental and public health risks of dumping sewage into our precious waterways widely understood, Dr Hudson has been a consistent campaigner for clearing up UK waters.
This Conservative Government is the first in our nation's history to monitor storm overflows which - a quirk of our Victorian infrastructure - were designed to act as a relief valve for wastewater systems during times of heavy rainfall. Now with 100% of England's storm overflows monitored, the Government has turned its attention to cracking down on polluters.
Measures include implementing unlimited fines for polluting water companies, expanding the array of finable offences and investing unprecedented public funds into resolving infrastructure issues.
Dr Hudson's recent parliamentary contribution came during DEFRA Questions which were faced by the Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay. In his intervention, Dr Hudson criticised opposition voices for politicising the issue with no affordable plans of their own to tackle the issue.
Commenting, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"I remain deeply committed to addressing the alarming sewage pollution crisis. The latest parliamentary session with the Environment Secretary was extremely heartening and I'm sure together we can continue to prioritise environmental responsibility for the wellbeing of our communities and ecosystems."
Dr Hudson is at the forefront of Parliament's response to water pollution, championing accountability and pressing for change to protect our environment and the health of our communities. The call to hold water companies responsible for their actions echoes the sentiments of many citizens who demand cleaner and safer waterways.
You can read more about Dr Neil Hudson MP's recent work on delivering water company reforms here:
- Dr Neil Hudson MP: 2024 is the year we turn the tide on immoral sewage discharges into our waterways
In the Chamber, Dr Neil Hudson MP asked:
"Our EFRA Select Committee has been consistently holding water companies and regulators to account for the inexcusable levels of sewage being illegally dumped in our precious waterways, but more can be done. Does my right hon. Friend agree that given our plan for water, our record levels of investment in monitoring and improving water quality, and the unlimited fines imposed on water companies, while the Opposition parties have no affordable plan and just throw muck from the sidelines, it is this Government who are actually getting on with and dealing with the issue?"
Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay, replied:
"I am very alive to this matter, both because of the very good work that Farmers Weekly has done to highlight it and because my right hon. Friend, as Chair of the Select Committee, has discussed it with me and my right hon. Friend the Farming Minister, who is also discussing it with plant breeders. We need to look at what we can do constructively, working with them, to deal with what is an entirely legitimate issue."
