A furore has erupted over legislation that will allow companies to continue dumping raw sewage into rivers and seas.
Last week, parliament voted against an amendment to a bill that would have prevented this from happening, causing backlash on social media and criticism from opposition MPs.
So, what is it all about?
What did MPs vote for?
The vote was for an amendment to the Environment Bill which sought to place a legal duty on water companies not to pump sewage into rivers.
It was proposed in the House of Lords by the Duke of Wellington, Charles Wellesley and would have also forced water companies and the Government to “take all reasonable steps” to avoid using the combined sewer overflows.
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It was proposed because in 2020 raw sewage was discharged into waters more than 400,000 times, according to data from the Environmental Agency, over a total of more than 3.1 million hours.
Meanwhile, figures collected by charity the Rivers Trust show that all of England’s rivers are currently failing to pass cleanliness tests, with 53 per cent of them failing at least partly because of water companies releasing sewage into them.
Another amendment the government voted against was bringing in stricter air quality targets.
What is the Environment Bill?
In general, the Environment Bill “will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats and increase biodiversity,” according to a government press release.
“The bill will also outline how the government will reduce waste, make better use of resources, and improve management of water resources in a changing climate.
“The bill will crack down on water companies that discharge sewage into rivers and will include a world-leading legally-binding species target for 2030, aiming to halt the decline of nature and to protect beloved British animals, such as red squirrels and hedgehogs.”
The bill would also set up a watchdog - the Office for Environmental Protection - to monitor progress on improving the environment.
Who voted for it and who voted against the amendment?
The environment minister, George Eustice instructed his MPs to vote against the amendment but 22 Conservative MPs rebelled against the government. Labour, the Lib Dems and other opposition parties also voted against the government.
How have people reacted?
Reacting to the legislation, people were furious and many blamed Brexit as policies like these were previously set in part by the EU.
Hi John. Great to read this. One thing - why then did you vote to allow water companies to dump raw sewage into the ocean?
— Sue Perkins 💙 (@sueperkins) October 22, 2021
there’s a lingering disquiet about Tory MPs voting last week against an amendment to stop private water companies dumping raw sewage into rivers and coastlines…not sure they’ve gauged the public mood on this
— Jim Pickard (@PickardJE) October 24, 2021
Last night Conservative MPs voted against a Lords amendment to the Environment Bill that would have made it illegal for water companies to dump raw sewage into our rivers.
— Emma Kennedy💙 (@EmmaKennedy) October 22, 2021
They disdain us, they disdain this country, all they care about is profit for their pals.
Brexit is now not just metaphorically but literally - sewage.
— A C Grayling #FBPE 3.5% #Reform #Rejoin #FBPA 🐟 (@acgrayling) October 24, 2021
Six weeks ago, Govt said polluters could dump risky sewage into rivers because Brexit disrupted water treatment chemical supply chains…
— Dr Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) October 23, 2021
…so now that’s what they are doing. And Govt votes to facilitate it.
Thanks Brexit! 🤬 https://t.co/kdH7GcRhXJ
You do know that dumping raw sewage into waterways was illegal under EU law?
— MimiJ (@MimiJ9) October 24, 2021
Well, now it isn’t and the Tory government has welcomed the practice.
We the people do not accept this shitstain of a government any longer.#TurdReich #r4today pic.twitter.com/zOO5aKWLMQ
— 𝕶𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖎𝖈𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖑𝖊𝖞🏴☠️ (@KarmicCrowley) October 25, 2021
The Labour Party slammed the government and has said they will challenge it:
This week local Tory MPs voted to protect water companies, not protect our water quality. Share my disappointment? Share this letter to @portsmouthnews #endsewagepollution👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/FiT4pgtQNK
— Stephen Morgan MP (@StephenMorganMP) October 23, 2021
Last week Tory MPs voted to allow water companies to dump sewage into rivers.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) October 25, 2021
They claim a ban would be too expensive.
But £56 BILLION has been extracted by shareholders since the Tories privatised water.
It's time to bring water back into public ownership.
Last week I voted to stop sewage and effluent being discharged into our waterways, rivers, seas and into our water supply. Conservative MPs voted to allow it to continue. #sewagescandal
— Bill Esterson (@Bill_Esterson) October 24, 2021
This week Labour will be pushing for action to stop water companies routinely discharging raw sewage in rivers.
— Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) October 24, 2021
By voting against this measure the Conservatives have shown themselves to be in the wrong place environmentally and out of touch with public opinion. #EnvironmentBill
Conservative MPs, however, defended the policy and claimed the backlash was unfair:
This is the truth about how we voted on the environment bill. None of us voted to discharge sewage into the sea and those of who have spread lies and misinformation should hang their heads in shame. Don’t ask why MPs get death threats if you have been part of this today #toxic https://t.co/QhZ4vjfVUF
— Maria Caulfield MP (@mariacaulfield) October 24, 2021
In a blog, MP Robert Courts said the plan was expensive and had not been thoroughly assessed.
“This all sounds admirable, and indeed is something I support in principle. But the trouble is that the Duke’s amendment came with no plan as to how this can be delivered and no impact assessment whatsoever,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, David Davis said, following the killing of David Amess, that we should be “thinking about the language we use online and the effect it has” and called out an activist who criticised him.
He said people were “spreading hatred on Twitter”.
In a week when we should be thinking about the language we use online & the effect it has does the @UKLabour condone this kind of language from its activists? pic.twitter.com/qn3Z22owZg
— David TC Davies MP 🏴🇬🇧 (@DavidTCDavies) October 22, 2021
But people said concerns were legitimate and that the activist in question had engaged with him politely:
Sorrywhatpardon? https://t.co/P6HWqD36Eo
— James Oh Brien (@mrjamesob) October 24, 2021
In my view this is @DavidTCDavies being abusive. Abuse is not defined by coarseness versus politesse. It's in the motives; not in the manner.
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) October 24, 2021
Gaslighting constituents who raise legitimate issues is an abuse of your position. It polarises debate more directly than any bad word. https://t.co/jYYIXt8DhW
Nothing to see here. Just a human rights lawyer demolishing an MP on the principle of accountability, after he received "abuse" on Twitter.
— RD Hale (@RD_HaIe_) October 24, 2021
Warning: If you see this, you might be considered "abusive" too. pic.twitter.com/55Zj7PV43W
Morning David. Which bit do you consider abusive? Just checking my abusive radar because I’ve just seen @andreajenkyns call @mrjamesob an Idiot and I’m confused as to what is acceptable.. a polite question from a Constituent or calling names?
— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@DeborahMeaden) October 24, 2021
What has the government said?
A government source told MailOnline: “Tory MPs have categorically not voted to allow water companies to dump raw sewage into our rivers and seas.
“The provisions in the Environment Bill will deliver progressive reductions in the harm caused by storm overflows.
“The Environment Bill requires us to set a target to drive progress on water quality, and we are already taking significant action to address water quality more widely. Claims to the contrary are simply wrong.”
Indy100 contacted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to comment on this story.
In a blog, they said:
“The amount of sewage discharged by water companies into our rivers is unacceptable. We have made it crystal clear to water companies that they must significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows as a priority. We have every confidence that the provisions in this bill will absolutely deliver progressive reductions in the harm caused by storm overflows and any suggestion to the contrary is both disingenuous and untrue.
They outlined measured in the bill including making water companies publish data and monitor water quality which they see as helping with the issue.
A spokesperson said: “The amount of sewage discharge by water companies into our rivers is unacceptable. We have made it clear to water companies that they must significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows as a priority. To this end we have added a range of new legally-binding obligations directly on water companies in the Environment Bill, as well as over £3 billion of water company investment to tackle pollution in rivers, and we expect to see results.
“The Storm Overflows Taskforce – set up last year – has already taken steps to improve monitoring and transparency, as well as uniting the industry on a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows. The Government recognises the importance of protecting the nation’s natural environment and we are investing accordingly.”
What happens next?
The bill is pinging back and forth from the Commons to the Lords and it is now set to return to the Lords on Tuesday, then back to the Commons later next week for another vote.
