Shropshire MP's clean rivers campaign brought into Environment Bill

Following the Queen’s Speech setting out the government’s agenda for the Parliamentary term, the Environment Minister confirmed that three new measures on storm overflows will be added to the Environment Bill later this summer – in line with Ludlow MP Philip Dunne's Private Member's Bill (PMB)

The new legal duties added to the Environment Bill will place a duty on the Government to publish a plan by September 2022 to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows and to report to Parliament on progress on implementing the plan.

Water companies will also have to publish data on storm overflow operation each year.

These measures were key elements of Mr Dunne’s bill to tackle sewage pollution, which fell through 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 PMB, through amendments to the Environment Bill.

Tackling

"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 aims to bring forward new legislation to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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

“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," Mr Dunne said.

"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.”