My View: Our Water White Paper and Surfers Against Sewage's Campaign

Pollution incidents across Redcar and Cleveland from the activities of the water industry are unacceptable and can have a devastating impact on our environment. I know a lot of constituents have contacted me about sewage in Saltburn and Marske in particular, and it is an absolute disgrace that this should continue to happen. The water industry must do more to reduce pollution and protect our rivers, lakes and seas.

I supported the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which our Government introduced to increase accountability, strengthen sanctions and make pollution coverups a criminal offence. It also created a new duty on water and sewerage undertakers to produce annual Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs). These plans require water and sewerage undertakers to report on the number and severity of pollution incidents in their networks and propose actions to reduce them.

I welcome our Government’s White Paper, titled A New Vision for Water, which sets out reforms for the water industry, following a detailed independent review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe. Our Government has pledged more reforms, including tighter discharge limits, enhanced monitoring and the creation of a new single water regulator with stronger, more proactive tools to enforce the rules and ensure water companies are fully held to account for sewage pollution.

It may interest anyone reading to know that our Government is also introducing measures to strengthen the Environment Agency’s ability to act swiftly and proportionately on minor to moderate offences, including relating to sewage. It is planning new variable monetary penalties and automatic penalties to enable quicker, more targeted enforcement. This will work alongside existing powers such as prosecution and ensure water companies face clear and immediate consequences.

I am very pleased to support our Government’s New Vision for Water. This is a radical, once-in-a-generation transformation of the water industry regulatory framework which puts the environment and consumers first. I look forward to the Joint Transition Plan that our Government will set out later this year with the Welsh Government, which will provide a stable platform for reform.

I know this White Paper and the upcoming Water Bill are a central part of this Labour Government’s programme and a priority for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I assure you all that I will follow developments on this closely as we walk the path to a future where water companies act responsibly, customers get the service they deserve, and we can all enjoy clean rivers, lakes and seas.