26 January 2022
Dunne calls on PM to ensure more investment in water treatment to clean up our rivers

Philip Dunne calls on the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Environment to ensure Ofwat requires water companies to invest more in water treatment in the next spending review period.

Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con)

7. Has my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister seen the report published earlier this month by the Environmental Audit Committee that makes recommendations about what else should be done, in addition to the welcome measures in the Environment Act 2021, to clean up all our rivers, including the River Wye? One recommendation was that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should give guidance to Ofwat to require water companies to invest much more in water treatment in the next round of capital spending approvals. Will my right hon. Friend encourage his Secretary of State to give that guidance to Ofwat in the strategic policy statement that is expected shortly? (905276)

The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson)

Yes, my right hon. Friend is completely right, and I welcome the report by his Committee. This Government are going further and faster than any other Government hitherto to protect and improve the health of our rivers and seas.

Hansard