Helen backs End Sewage Pollution campaign against dumping in waterways
North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has attended a Parliamentary event to speak to water users impacted by the sewage pollution crisis and hear from leading voices about the policy solutions to the scandal.
The End Sewage Pollution Coalition includes the Rivers Trust, British Canoeing, the Angling Trust, the Women’s Institute, River Action, Swim England and Surfers Against Sewage. The group are running a cross-party and cross-organisation campaign in support of stronger regulation and more Government action to combat sewage overflows into UK rivers and waterways.
Helen Morgan has reiterated her support for campaigning efforts to strengthen regulations and bring our rivers and waterways back to the high standards that people expect.
The Liberal Democrats have called for a ban on all CEO bonuses within the water industry, as well as the firms to be reformed as “public public companies”. The reforms would put an end to profit before the environment and ensure their boards include environmental experts.
It comes after Severn Trent, who discharged sewage 45,000 times last year, paid £3.5 million in bonuses to two executives last year.
Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “The scale of sewage dumping into rivers and waterways across the country is nothing short of a scandal, over which the Ministers and water companies responsible need to be held to account.
“Data shows that sewage was dumped into three waterways in North Shropshire for nearly 400 hours last year. It is disgraceful and speaks to a distinct lack of care for our natural environment and countryside.
“It was very useful to attend the End Sewage Pollution Coalition’s event in Parliament and hear first-hand from swimmers, surfers, paddlers, fishermen and business owners who have been impacted.
“I am continuing to fully support cross-party campaigning efforts to clean up our rivers and waterways, and invest in bringing them back to the standards that people in our area rightly expect.”