Philip Dunne MP’s campaign to tackle sewage pollution in rivers and waterways is being taken up by government through new amendments to the Environment Bill.

Following today’s Queen’s Speech, setting out the government’s agenda for the Parliamentary term, the Environment Minister has confirmed that three new measures on storm overflows will be added by government amendment to the Environment Bill later this summer.

The new legal duties added to the Environment Bill will place a duty on government to publish a plan by September 2022 to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows; a duty on government to report to Parliament on progress on implementing the plan; and a duty on water companies to publish data on storm overflow operation on an annual basis.

These measures were key elements of Mr Dunne’s Private Member’s Bill to tackle sewage pollution, which fell due to lack of time in the parliamentary session which ended last month. During wet weather, storm overflows act to prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rain and release diluted wastewater into rivers. But their use has increased in recent years, as water infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth.

Mr Dunne said:

“I am delighted we now have clarity from government about how it intends to take forward the principles of my Private Members Bill, through amendments to the Environment Bill. This gives greater clarity and a timeline, and once in law, these measures will become an important step in tackling the scourge of sewage pollution in our rivers and waterways for good. I am grateful to Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow MP, for recognising the scale of the issue I highlighted through my PMB, and for finding a route to allow the important principles behind my Bill to become law.”

The Queen’s Speech focussed on the continued recovery from covid, both through protecting the NHS and delivering economic growth. The government will bring forward new legislation to support jobs, businesses and the economy; create safer streets and neighbourhoods; and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, for a cleaner, greener UK. The government will also set out new laws for the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, giving people the skills they need for well-paid jobs and opportunities to train throughout their lifetime. 

Mr Dunne, who is Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, welcomed a focus on tackling climate change, but stressed that action must match rhetoric, saying:

“I was pleased to hear the Government commitment in the Queen’s Speech to achieving net zero emissions, with plans to legislate for binding targets for environmental measures, which are expected to include water quality. There was also a clear reference to further legislation to set higher standards for animal welfare.

In this year when the UK is hosting major global conferences, notably the G7 in June and COP26 in November, it is all the more important that the Government demonstrates its ambition for Global Britain by setting an example at home and introducing the policy drivers and strategies to set out a clear path to net zero. It was encouraging to see this referenced in the Queen’s Speech – now Her Majesty’s Ministers must deliver by publishing detailed plans.”