Ms Nusrat Ghani
MP for Sussex Weald · Conservative · United Kingdom
“Before we come to the urgent question, I must say how disappointing it is that the Government were not forthcoming with a proactive ministerial statement on this matter. The disruption to aviation and the impact on many constituents has been considerable.”
“The point of order and its content are not a matter for the Chair. I have not been notified of any Minister coming forward at this point, but I have only just come into the Chair. If the hon.”
“(3) Regulations under section 14Z45B must provide that, where an out-of-hospital service is to be provided to a patient, the integrated care board must— (a) offer the patient a choice of at least two providers capable of providing the service, which may include NHS bodies and independent sector providers approved to provide that service u…”
“(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the relevant requirements are— (a) that the special educational provision set out in section F of an EHC plan meets the needs identified by an EHC needs assessment; (b) that ICBs can be required to provide such special educational provision; (c) that ICBs must provide such special educational provis…”
“(3) The Charter must— (a) set out the fundamental principles and responsibilities for assessing whether a data sharing partnership is in the interest of the public and the NHS; (b) include the primary goal of protecting people’s privacy and their data from exploitation, while promoting trust in data systems and the handling of health data…”
“(2) Arrangements under subsection (1) must, so far as reasonably practicable, provide for— (a) general practitioners, dentists, pharmacists and other relevant primary care professionals to work together as part of integrated local primary care teams; (b) the sharing of relevant patient information between those professionals through secur…”
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“(4) In this section, ‘water company’ has the meaning given by section 6(5).” This new clause would provide for any fines imposed on water companies to result in equivalent reductions to customers’ bills.”
“New clause 19 —Civil penalties: equivalent reduction to customer bills— “(1) The Secretary of State must make provision for any monetary penalties imposed on a water company to result in equivalent reductions to the amounts charged to customers by the relevant water company. (2) In fulfilling its duties under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must arrange, annually— (a) for the total amount of monetary penalties imposed on a water company in the previous year to be calculated; (b) for that total to be divided by the number of customers of the water company; (c) for each customer’s next bill from the water company to be reduced by that figure. (3) Any reduction applied under this section must be indicated on a customer’s statement of account.”
“(2) Where a relevant undertaker has total borrowing exceeding the limit set by regulations made under subsection (1), the relevant undertaker may not make a payment of dividends, capital, assets, or interest to shareholders or controlling entities. (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.’” This new clause would enable limits to be placed on the amount of money that can be borrowed by a water or sewerage undertaker, and prevent an undertaker who has exceeded such limits from being able to pay dividends to shareholders.”
“(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (5) The provisions in this section replace any existing provision for the sums received for specified offences, including in section 22A(9) of the Water Industry Act 1991 (penalties).” New clause 17 —Rules about borrowing— “After section 154B of the Water Industry Act 1991 (financial assistance for major works) insert— ‘Chapter III Rules about borrowing for undertakers 154C Restrictions on undertakers relating to borrowing (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument implement a limit on borrowing by a relevant undertaker.”
“(3) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, list the specified offences for the purposes of this section, which must include— (a) any relevant provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991, including— (i) section 24(4) (unlicensed abstraction or related works or contravening abstraction licence); (ii) section 25(2) (unlicensed impounding works or contravening impounding licence); (iii) section 25C(1) (contravening abstraction or impounding enforcement notice); (iv) section 80 (contravening drought order or permit); (v) section 201(3) (contravening water resources information notice); (b) any relevant regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 (regulation of polluting activities etc) related to water pollution; (c) regulations under section 61 of the Water Act 2014 (regulation of water resources etc).”
“(2) A Water Restoration Fund is a fund— (a) into which any monetary penalties imposed on water companies for specified offences must be paid, and (b) out of which payments must be made for expenditure on measures— (i) to help water bodies, including chalk streams, achieve good ecological status, and improve ecological potential and chemical status; (ii) to prevent further deterioration of the ecological status, ecological potential or chemical status of water bodies, including chalk streams; (iii) to enable water-dependent habitats to return to, or remain at, favourable condition; (iv) to restore other water-dependent habitats and species, especially where action supports restoration of associated protected sites or water bodies.”
“(5) The Authority may impose penalties on undertakers who fail to provide such information as is required by this section.’” New clause 16 —Establishment of Water Restoration Fund— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 60 days of the passing of this Act, make provision for the establishment, operation and management of a Water Restoration Fund.”
“(2) The database must— (a) be publicly and freely accessible; (b) enable uploaded information to be updated in live-time; (c) contain such data or information as the Authority thinks is necessary for the purposes of public transparency as to the performance of sewerage undertakers; and (d) contain— (i) current and historic data; and (ii) data and information which has been independently collected or analysed including— (a) the start time, end time and duration of all sewage spill events, (b) flow data from flow monitors, (c) the location of each flow meter from which flow data is provided. (3) The Authority may make rules about the provision of data and information under this section. (4) Rules under subsection (3) must include rules relating to information provided about the location of flow meters.”
“(2) After section 17I insert— ‘ “17IA Duty to have regard to pollution targets in carrying out price reviews When carrying out a periodic review for the purpose of setting a Price Control in respect of one or more relevant undertakers, the Authority must have regard to the performance of the relevant undertaker or undertakers against pollution targets across the previous five years.’” New clause 15 —Database of performance of sewerage undertakers— “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows. (2) In Chapter 3 of Part II (Protection of customers etc), after section 27ZA (Power to require information for purpose of monitoring) insert— ‘ 27ZB Duty to establish database (1) It shall be the duty of the Authority to establish and maintain a database containing information relating to the performance of sewerage undertakers.”
“(4) Rules under this section may— (a) make different provision for different relevant undertakers or descriptions of undertakers; (b) make different provision for different purposes; (c) make provision subject to exceptions. (3) The Authority may from time to time— (a) revise rules issued under this section, and (b) issue the revised rules.’” New clause 14— Ofwat consideration of pollution targets for price reviews — “(1) The Water Industry Act 2011 is amended as follows.”
“New clause 13— Rules about competitive procurement in water infrastructure — “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows. (2) After section 35A insert— ‘ Rules about competitive procurement in water infrastructure (1) The Authority must issue rules requiring relevant undertakers to use competitive procurement processes in respect of procurement relating to water infrastructure. (2) If the Authority considers that a relevant undertaker is contravening the rules, the Authority may give the undertaker a direction to do, or not to do, a particular thing specified in the direction. (3) It is the duty of a relevant undertaker to comply with a direction given under subsection (2), and this duty is enforceable by the Authority under section 18.”
“(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)— (a) “performance-related pay” means any payment, consideration or other benefit (including pension benefit) the giving of which results from the meeting of any targets or performance standards on the part of the relevant undertaker or the person to whom such payment, consideration or benefit is given; (b) a person holds a “senior role” with a relevant undertaker if the person— (i) is a chief executive of the undertaker, (ii) is a director of the undertaker, or (iii) holds such other description of role with the undertaker as may be specified.’” This new clause creates a new section in the Water Industry Act 1991 to require Ofwat to ban bonuses for water company bosses if they fail to prevent sewage discharges, spills, or leaks.”
“(2) The rules issued under subsection (1) must include— (a) provision designed to secure that performance-related pay which, if given by a relevant undertaker, would contravene the pay prohibition on the part of the undertaker, is not given by another person; (b) that any provision of an agreement (whether made before or after the issuing of the rules) is void to the extent that it contravenes the pay prohibition; (c) provision for a relevant undertaker to recover any payment made, or other property transferred, in breach of the pay prohibition.”
“(2) After section 35D (inserted by section 1 of this Act) insert— ‘ 35E Rules about performance-related pay (1) The Authority must issue rules prohibiting a relevant undertaker from giving to persons holding senior roles performance-related pay in respect of any financial year in which the undertaker has failed to prevent all sewage discharges, spills, or leaks.”
“(2) In section 94— (a) after subsection (1)(b) insert— ‘(c) to make provision for the accurate collection of data relating to its performance in fulfilling its duties under paragraphs (a) and (b).’ (b) after subsection (2) insert— ‘(2A) In performing its duties under subsection (1)(c), a sewerage undertaker must— (a) install volume flow meters in all locations where sewage overflows occur, including sewage treatment works, pumping stations and on the sewer network for which it is responsible; (b) establish appropriate required capacities for each sewage treatment works and pumping station; (c) publish information on the data and calculations used to establish such required capacities; and (d) install all required monitoring tools within 12 months of the passing of this Act.’” New clause 12 —Rules about performance-related pay— “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.”
“(2DZB) Guidelines produced under subsection (2DZA) must— (a) set out a maximum level of debt which can be accrued by the undertaker; (b) set out a process for agreeing capital expenditure necessary for service improvements, bill increases, and changes to operating costs while the undertaker is subject to the Special Administration Regime; (c) state the penalties which will be imposed for breaches of such guidelines, which may include— (i) financial penalties; (ii) prohibitions on the payment of dividends or other bonuses; or (iii) such other special measures as the Authority deems appropriate.’” New clause 11 —Duty on sewerage undertakers to monitor overflows at sewage treatment works, pumping stations and on the sewer network— “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.”
“New clause 9 —Ofwat to publish guidance on debt levels after administration— “In section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991, after subsection (2D) insert— ‘(2DZA) For the purposes of ensuring that relevant undertakers are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions under subsection (2A)(c), the Authority must establish guidelines to be followed by relevant undertakers who have been in special administration.”
“(2) The special administrator of a water company may reduce the debts owed by the regulated entity to its creditors by up to 100 per cent, taking into account the future forecast expenditure over the short, medium and long term and subject to the administrator’s confidence in the company’s ability to accommodate this spending. (3) The prohibition set out in subsection (1) and the reduction of debts set out in subsection (2) must not include pension, wage and other obligations owed to employees, excluding any past or current member of a board of directors, within the water company group.” This new clause aims to allow up to 100% of debts to be cancelled in the event of special administration proceedings, taking into account the scale of investment required to hit the future targets established by the Authority.”
“(2BB) A review under subsection (2BA) must consider— (a) whether the current practice of price reviews every five years should be replaced with an annual, or otherwise more frequent, system; (b) how changes to inflation and other financial or economic changes could or should be reflected in prices charged by water companies; (c) how any future system of price reviews could better support undertakers in planning and delivering investments beyond a single asset management plan period.’” New clause 8 —Prohibition on bail-out of water company shareholders and creditors— “(1) The Secretary of State and His Majesty’s Treasury must not directly or indirectly discharge, assume, or guarantee any debts of legal entities in any water company group subject to proceedings under section 24 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (special administration orders made on special petitions), except in accordance with subsection (2).”
“(2) The Authority must not take any action that discourages or prevents a relevant undertaker from making an investment in accordance with subsection (1).’” This new clause would make it a condition of all water companies’ licences to consider nature-based solutions to flood risk, improving water quality and benefiting nature restoration in their catchment area, and prevent the regulator from discouraging or stopping such investments. New clause 7 —Review of price review process— “In section 2 of the Water Industry Act 1991, after subsection (2B) insert— ‘(2BA) In furthering its objectives and purposes under subsection (2A), the Authority must, within 12 months of the passing of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, review its practices as to reviewing price limits.”
“(4) A strategy under subsection (2) must include consideration of how the costs of reducing and preventing chemical pollutants entering the water environment are to be borne or recovered, where such consideration must prevent such cost recovery from resulting in additional charges being made upon consumers.’” New clause 6 —Licence conditions about nature recovery— “In the Water Industry Act 1991, after section 17FB insert— ‘ 17FC Nature recovery (1) reducing flood risk and pollution incidents, improving water quality and benefiting nature restoration in their catchment area.”
“(3) In developing a strategy under subsection (2), a relevant undertaker must consult with appropriate agencies, including but not limited to— (a) the relevant Government department; (b) the Authority; (c) the Environment Agency; and (d) the Drinking Water Inspectorate.”
“(4) Maps published under this section must be made publicly accessible on the undertaker’s website.’” New clause 5 —Duty to prevent chemical pollutants entering the water environment— “After section 68 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (Duties of water undertakers and water supply licensees with respect to water quality), insert— ‘ 68A Duty to prevent chemical pollutants entering the water environment (1) It shall be the duty of a water undertaker to take such steps as are necessary to reduce and prevent chemical pollutants, including but not limited to poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances, entering the water environment. (2) In fulfilling its duty under subsection (1), a relevant undertaker must publish a strategy outlining how it intends to reduce and prevent chemical pollutants entering the water environment.”
“(3) Maps published under this section must be published within 12 months of the passing of this Act, and must be updated whenever changes are made to the sewage catchment network or the components listed in subsection (2).”
“New clause 3 —Impact of the Act on the Environment Agency— “The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act— (a) review the impact of this Act on the Environment Agency; (b) consider whether the Environment Agency requires any additional resources to meet the additional requirements placed upon it by this Act.” New clause 4 —Duty to publish maps of sewage catchment networks— “After section 205 of the Water Industry Act 1991 insert— ‘ 205ZA Duty to publish maps of sewage catchment networks (1) Each relevant undertaker must publish a map of its sewage catchment network. (2) A map published under this section must illustrate any relevant pumping stations, pipes, and other works constituting part of the undertaker’s sewerage network.”
“(2) For section 1A (Water Services Regulation Authority) substitute the following— ‘ 1A Abolition of the Water Services Regulation Authority (1) The body corporate known as the Water Services Regulation Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”) is abolished. (2) All references to the duties and functions of the Authority in this Act or any other enactment are null and void.’ (3) Omit Schedule 1A (The Water Services Regulation Authority).” This new clause abolishes Ofwat.”
“(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. (5) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument add to the list of offences specified in subsection (3). (6) The provisions in this section replace any existing provision for the sums received for specified offences, including in section 22A(9) of the Water Industry Act 1991 (penalties).” This new clause would require all funds from fines on water companies for environmental offences to be ringfenced for the Water Restoration Fund, for spending on freshwater recovery. New clause 2 —Abolition of the Water Services Regulation Authority— “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.”
“(3) The Secretary of State must by regulations list the specified offences for the purpose of this section, which must include— (a) any relevant provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991, including— (i) section 24(4) (unlicensed abstraction or related works or contravening abstraction licence); 22 Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL]; (ii) section 25(2) (unlicensed impounding works or contravening impounding licence); (iii) section 25C(1) (contravening abstraction or impounding enforcement notice); (iv) section 80 (contravening drought order or permit); (v) section 201(3) (contravening water resources information notice); (b) regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 (regulation of polluting activities etc); (c) regulations under section 61 of the Water Act 2014 (regulation of water resources etc).”
“With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 1 —Water Restoration Fund— “(1) No more than 60 days after the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the establishment, operation and management of a Water Restoration Fund. (2) A Water Restoration Fund is a fund— (a) into which any monetary penalties imposed for specified offences must be paid, and (b) out of which payments must be made for expenditure on measures to improve the quality of the freshwater environment in England.”
“Order. We have many contributions to come and quite a tight deadline, so Back Benchers will be limited to four minutes. I call the shadow Minister.”
“Order. Unfortunately, colleagues making interventions have eaten into time, so I now have to call the Front Benchers. I call the shadow Minister, Dr Neil Hudson.”
“Order. The Minister is giving a very substantial speech, but he has been on his feet for 30 minutes. Hopefully he will be coming to a conclusion at some point.”
“Order. Members should not need to be reminded that speeches should be directed towards the Chair, and most definitely not to the Gallery. I call Andrew George.”
“Members are bobbing who were not in the Chamber at the start of the debate. We have made a note of all their names and the time that they arrived and they will not be called to speak. If they do not know whether that means them, they should speak to their Whip. I call the Chair of the Defence Committee.”
“It is also important for Front Benchers to arrive on time to hear the opening statement—I believe that the Liberal Democrat spokesperson was four minutes late—and it is important for them to know that they may not be called in the future, but, on this occasion, I do invite the hon. Lady to speak.”
“Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Blair McDougall, supported by Mr Alex Barros-Curtis, Rachel Blake, Mr Connor Rand, Alex Sobel, Mr Alistair Carmichael, Phil Brickell, Chris Law, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Tom Tugendhat and Ms Marie Rimmer, presented a Bill to make provision for a right to consular assistance for British journalists abroad who have been detained or held hostage; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 7 March , and to be printed (Bill 1 68 ) .”
“That concludes proceedings on the statement. I will give the Secretary of State a moment so that he can walk out—not run, as he did earlier on. Bills Presented Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Secretary Liz Kendall, supported by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Pat McFadden, Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Georgia Gould, presented a Bill to make provision about the prevention of fraud against public authorities and the making of erroneous payments by public authorities; about the recovery of money paid by public authorities as a result of fraud or error; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 1 67 ) with explanatory notes (Bill 1 67 -EN).”
“Order. Members should keep their contributions within scope. This is about the financial implications of the Bill if it is passed, so let us keep contributions within scope.”
“Thank you, Mr Shannon, for letting me know you would be making a point of order. The Chair is not responsible for the content of Member’s speeches, but I remind the House of the advice in Erskine May on the importance of good temper and moderation in parliamentary language.”
“Order. “Your leadership” refers to me, and it is up to the Chair to determine what is in scope. For the benefit of other colleagues, it is up to the speaker to accept or decline an intervention. Do you have more to say, Mr Bailey, or shall I return to the shadow Minister?”
“I am grateful to the right hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have had no indication that the Foreign Secretary intends to come to the House to make a statement, but I am sure that the Table Office will be able to advise him on how he might pursue the matter further.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order and for placing his correction of his earlier statement on the record.”
“I believe that my earlier response to the similar point of order offered enough information, but no doubt by raising the point again, Ministers on the Front Bench will have heard again. The hon. Member’s point is on the record.”
“House of Commons Members’ Fund Ordered, That Sir Marcus Jones and Craig Whittaker be removed as Trustees of the House of Commons Members’ Fund and Sharon Hodgson and Mike Wood be appointed as Trustees in pursuance of section 2 of the House of Commons Members’ Fund Act 2016. — (Lucy Powell.)”
“With the leave of the House, I will put motions 5 to 7 together. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 118(6)), Companies That the draft Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 7 October 2024, be approved. Agriculture That the draft Free-Range Egg Marketing Standards (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 21 November 2024, be approved. Banks and Banking That the draft Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited Compensation Scheme Order 2024, which was laid before this House on 6 November 2024, be approved.— (Gerald Jones.) Question agreed to.”
“I thank the right hon. Lady for giving me advance notice of her point of order. She will appreciate that that is not a matter for the Chair, but she has put a point on the record, and those on the Front Bench will have heard it.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her point of order. That is not a matter for the Chair, but she has most definitely put her remarks on the record.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving notice of his point of order. I have had no indication that the Secretary of State intends to come to the House to make a statement, but I am sure that the Table Office will be able to advise the hon. Gentleman on how to pursue the matter further.”
“Order. As Members can see from the annunciator, the debate on financial education has been postponed, so the current debate can go on until 10 pm.”
“I appreciate that this is a very sensitive subject, but if the questions are long and the answers are just as long, we will get very few people in. Chris Murray, show us how it is done.”