Emma Hardy
MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice · Labour · United Kingdom
“I particularly mention Julie and Reuben; I hope I am not giving too much away when I say to Julie how deeply moved both I and the previous Secretary of State—my right hon.”
“For decades, the essential services that underpin daily life, including water, have suffered from over-privatisation, leading to high costs to the public. The Government are clear that the public have a right to expect those services to be affordable and accountable.”
“They talked about the places where they used to paddle but cannot now, and places they used to visit. It is horrific that we have ended up in this situation. I have always wanted to introduce a water Bill that meets the political moment and the public appetite for change. I am delighted that it feels that we are closer to that.”
“We can never forget that the workers on the frontline are not responsible for the failures of the water companies. I have absolute respect for them. I meet with the trade unions on a regular basis, and one thing they mention is the abuse that workers get when they are out working.”
“On referendums, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton Itchen (Darren Paffey) mentioned that he was scarred by a previous referendum, the result of which I still feel deeply myself. But I think we know what the public think about this sector.”
“I know that the Prime Minister is completely committed to looking at devolution and at how organisations can be responsive and answerable to place. Bathing water sites are prioritised for upgrades. The hon.”
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“The good news is that, on 16 September, we laid an affirmative statutory instrument to ban the supply and sale of those harmful products, alongside which we published a full economic impact assessment and explanatory memorandum. The SI debates in Parliament are scheduled to be held shortly, with the Commons debate on 3 November, and the Lords debate on 10 November. Banning wet wipes that contain plastic will reduce plastic and microplastic pollution, as well as the volumes of microplastics entering waste water treatment sites when wrongly flushed. Additionally, it will reduce marine plastic pollution. There is strong public support for a ban. Very little unites the nation, but 95% of respondents agree with the proposal to ban plastic-containing wet wipes. We are pleased to be taking forward this long-awaited action.”
“She has also worked with major retailers, including Boots and Tesco, to encourage them to remove plastic wet wipes from their shelves. My hon. Friend has been instrumental in getting us to this point. In fact, I would go as far as to say that without her contribution, we probably would not be at the stage we are now. I pay a full and complete tribute to her. She shows exactly what we can do when we persist. “Persist! Persist!” was the recommendation given to me as a new MP. The Government are aware of the growing concerns about wet wipes as a source of plastic pollution often found in our natural environment, including in our waterways and on our beaches. They break down into smaller pieces in the water environment, causing huge problems with microplastic pollution, which is harmful to human and animal health.”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. I welcome the chance to set out the actions this Government are taking to tackle the problems caused by wet wipes that contain plastic. I start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Fleur Anderson) for the work she has done to raise this important topic, and for her years of campaigning to bring it to the fore. She has had a high-profile campaign to ban wet wipes that contain plastic, including tabling a private Member’s Bill in November 2021. Her campaign has earned cross-party support and backing from major environmental groups, which have paid tribute to her, including Thames21, the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage.”
“I thank him and my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham and Penge (Liam Conlon) for their contributions to the debate today, in which there is huge interest. Together with the building blocks that the Government have already put in place, this change will mark the most fundamental reset of our water system in a generation, as we consider and take forward the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission on dealing with many of the problems facing water, including pollution, problems around waste water, and what ends up in our rivers, lakes and seas. In conclusion, I reiterate that banning wet wipes containing plastic is a necessary measure that we are taking forward. I look forward to the debates on the draft regulations to ban these harmful products. I hope the proposals will have the support of all colleagues here today.”
“Wet wipes containing plastic will not be permitted for sale on the shelves; people who require them will need to get them through a pharmacist. This is a similar model to the plastic straw ban, where there was a particularly strong reason why certain people might need to continue using plastic straws. It is the same situation with wet wipes. We are obviously continuing to look at labelling and to consider further action in that area, if needed. And one of the recommendations from the Independent Water Commission was to look at extended producer responsibility for waste water treatment, and we are considering whether we would want that. As we know, a lot of this ends up in: “Write in at the end”. I hope my responses have also helped to answer the questions of my hon. Friend the Member for Southend East and Rochford (Mr Alaba).”
“We are working as quickly as we can, taking into account some of the unintended consequences that might arise from going more quickly. There is also a medical exemption. Consultation responses and stakeholder engagement with healthcare professionals have indicated that a medical exemption is required until viable plastic-free alternatives are available for medical use. Obviously, research is ongoing and things are developing quickly in this area. However, it is essential to ensure that those who require these products for medical purposes still have access to them. To account for those who require wet wipes containing plastic for medical care in their own home, the medical exemption will allow for the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic by registered pharmacists. This is particularly important for infection control purposes.”
“As for the next steps that the Government are taking, the Independent Water Commission has recommended that we take measures to stop pollutants, such as wet wipes, entering the system. We will consider all of the commission’s recommendations. I will now answer the specific questions of my hon. Friend the Member for Putney. On the lead-in times, we have had to act carefully. We are working with businesses to make sure there is time for them to adapt and to mitigate the risks of excess stocks of wet wipes containing plastics being sent to landfill or being incinerated, which is a concern. That is why we have given the time that we have; our ban is expected to come in from spring 2027, which provides for an 18-month transition period.”
“Such innovations are emerging, with devices being used to clear blockages, capture wipes and help to identify from which homes or businesses the wipes are coming, with the aim of educating people and advising them on the correct disposal methods. I am also pleased that the Port of London Authority and Thames Water have cleaned up “wet wipe island”, which has already been mentioned—a huge, 180-tonne fatberg on the River Thames. I have also heard of an example of the circular economy at its best, because we are looking at ways to use fatbergs as valuable sources of biofuel and biodiesel to power buses and trucks. Trucks and buses powered by fatbergs—who would have thought it?”
“The Government are supportive of campaigns that encourage the correct disposal of wet wipes, including Water UK’s “Bin the Wipe” campaign, and we welcome the innovative steps that water companies and others are taking to tackle blockages. One of my favourite developments is Northumbrian Water’s Pipebot patrol. Pipebot is a tiny robot that goes around the sewerage network, inspecting the pipework and raising blockage alerts before a sewer floods. When I first saw it—a tiny robot that has little tools to break down fatbergs or whatever else it comes across—my reaction was, “You are putting WALL-E down the sewers!” [ Laughter. ] Good for WALL-E, but if he is patrolling the sewers, I do not think he will have quite the same happy ending as he did in the film.”
“Admittedly, they may not be able to flush a mattress down the toilet, but they are certainly flushing many other things, including wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cotton pads, cotton buds, cigarette butts, plasters and dental floss—I am sad to say that, when I was a child, a few goldfish were flushed as well. The public have a role to play in ensuring that cooking fats are also not poured down the sink, and that wet wipes and other unflushables are binned rather than flushed. Those are small steps, but they are significant when added together, and they will improve the quality of our rivers, natural environment and wildlife.”
“I am delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking all the local groups and children. As has been mentioned, children are hugely interested in this topic, and in the disgusting stories about what ends up down the toilet—I find young children are particularly fascinated with that. I heard an amusing story about a mattress that ended up in the sewer. How on earth does a mattress end up in a sewer? But I was told that if it can be produced, it can end up in the sewers. People are not always aware of how the actions they take in the home can have a damaging impact on their drains, sewer network and water quality.”
“In conclusion, the draft regulations are clear in their purpose of ensuring that Northern Ireland authorities have the power to enforce EU export and manufacturing prohibitions, reporting arrangements and exemptions on dental amalgam use and import, as set out in the European Commission notice. They will also mean that Northern Ireland continues to benefit from the exemptions on dental amalgam use and import, allowing for a longer transition period and equity of dental provision with the rest of the United Kingdom. I commend the draft regulations to the Committee.”
“When dental amalgam is exposed to high temperatures, such as during cremation, the mercury it contains can enter the environment as a toxic gas if there are no mercury emission controls in place. I am happy to confirm that the crematoriums in Northern Ireland are fitted with control technologies to reduce mercury emissions. Under the environmental improvement plan, we are taking steps and further developing plans to reduce mercury emissions, including from crematoriums. As part of that, the Government will soon publish an updated process guidance note for crematoriums and the accompanying consultation response, which will include further guidance on emission abatement technologies in crematoriums.”
“The purpose of the instrument is to further strengthen the enforcement measures that the Northern Ireland authorities can take on the ground to support the arrangements in Northern Ireland, including powers to enforce the prohibitions to export or manufacture dental amalgam; additional reporting requirements for dental amalgam importers; and restrictions on dental amalgam use for patients, as set out in the European Commission notice. The statutory instrument also implements the allowed exemptions to the import and use of dental amalgam while Northern Ireland gradually phases out its use. More broadly, I recognise the concerns about mercury’s environmental impact. It is a highly toxic substance that can cause harm to human health and the environment if improperly managed.”
“The Government acted on those concerns and the EU Commission recognised them. The arrangements were then adapted accordingly. That pragmatic ability to work collegiately on a foundation of trust, partnership and credibility to identify and address problems lies at the heart of the Windsor framework. The dental amalgam exemptions on use and import have applied in Northern Ireland since 1 January 2025, and the Northern Ireland authorities have taken the required steps to implement them, including by issuing further guidance and engaging with dentists.”
“That will give dentists time to improve practice efficiency, gain experience with more complex fillings, adapt to emerging alternatives and support the training of dental professionals. Let me say briefly that I know the Windsor framework and its operation are of immense interest to hon. Members, and I know that questions of democratic legitimacy and the effectiveness of the framework’s democratic scrutiny mechanisms are frequently considered and discussed. That discourse is often about whether and when mechanisms such as the Stormont brake should be used, but these bespoke arrangements illustrate the entire purpose and benefit of the Windsor framework. In this case, we saw an issue that would pose particular difficulties for Northern Ireland. Members of the Legislative Assembly scrutinised the issue and voiced their concerns.”
“Following scrutiny by Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the European Commission recognised Northern Ireland’s specific circumstances last year and set out bespoke arrangements for Northern Ireland. That means that Northern Ireland will have a much longer transition period until December 2034, or until an earlier phase-out date is agreed with the Minamata convention on mercury, an international treaty to which the UK and the EU are parties. During that time, businesses and dentists in Northern Ireland may continue to import and use dental amalgam. Such treatment may be given only to UK residents and imports must be proportionate with use. The gradual phase-out of dental amalgam will allow more time to transition to alternative fillings.”
“It is a stable and safe filling material that is widely used across the UK to fill cavities caused by tooth decay. Compared with alternative fillings, such as composite resin, dental amalgam fillings are typically cheaper and take less time to apply. Last year, the EU introduced amendments to the UK mercury regulations that apply under the Windsor framework. Those amendments introduced a ban on the use and export of dental amalgam from 1 January 2025 and a ban on the manufacture and import of dental amalgam from 1 July 2026. An immediate ban on dental amalgam would have led to longer dental treatment times in Northern Ireland, meaning fewer patients being treated. That could ultimately have worsened oral health outcomes in Northern Ireland, so the UK Government made representations to the EU on that issue.”
“I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Control of Mercury (Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. It is a pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairship, Ms Lewell. This affirmative statutory instrument introduces mechanisms to enforce the EU mercury regulation in Northern Ireland under the Windsor framework that maintains Northern Ireland’s dual market access to the EU single market and the UK internal market. The mercury regulation applies in a modified form in Northern Ireland, and before I set out the instrument’s purpose and scope in further detail I will provide some background to the arrangements that apply in Northern Ireland. Dental amalgam is a dental filling material that is made up of a mixture of mercury and metal alloys, including silver, tin and copper.”
“On the Windsor framework more broadly, we work constructively with all stakeholders—the EU, the Northern Ireland Executive, political parties, businesses and civil society in Northern Ireland—to achieve these aims. As we consider the instrument before us, it is clear that our approach must balance regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility and the practical realities across the United Kingdom. Our actions are guided not only by domestic priorities but by our international commitments under the Minamata convention and the evolving expectations of our global partners. As further discussions occur at international level, the UK will continue to play a constructive role grounded in evidence and a shared commitment to progress. I thank all Members for their contributions. Question put and agreed to.”
“The UK, along with the EU, is a signatory to the convention and we would be bound by that decision. There was an investigation by the Democratic Scrutiny Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the Windsor framework set out to address the democratic deficit challenges in Northern Ireland by establishing democratic safeguards, including the Stormont brake. Following the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly, we made representations to the EU, which made the changes to the mercury rules for dental amalgam. As far as I am aware—I have asked officials to check—there is no manufacturer of amalgam in Northern Ireland, so that should not have an impact.”
“In addition, the national plan for phasing out dental amalgam, which will be developed to support a smooth transition, will provide important information as we proceed. On Northern Ireland’s involvement in preparing for Minamata, Northern Ireland is having conversations, along with the Scottish and Welsh Governments. In response to the question from the Opposition spokesman, the hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley, stakeholders like the British Dental Association referred to being able to phase out dental amalgam in evidence given to the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was considered when working with the Northern Ireland Departments. The specific arrangements for Northern Ireland allow for its continued use and import until 2034. This date will be brought forward if parties to the Minamata convention agree to an earlier phase-out date.”
“That offers some reassurance that the Government are looking at mercury across the whole of the United Kingdom. We are currently working to assess the future use of dental amalgam across the UK ahead of the Minamata convention. We have engaged with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, ready for discussions at the Minamata convention’s conference of the parties next month to look at what we are doing as a country. On the assessment of how this will impact Northern Ireland over time, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health will consistently monitor and evaluate the provision of both amalgam and non-amalgam fillings, along with regular consultation with professional dental organisations to obtain feedback on any issues that might come up.”
“On the proposed updates to regulations and what action we are taking, the United Kingdom will lay legislation this year to prohibit the import, export and manufacture in Great Britain of a number of products, including those containing additionally added mercury. We are already, as the United Kingdom Government, looking to reduce mercury use across the whole of the United Kingdom. These products will be phased out in Northern Ireland by the EU mercury regulations. The legislation will prohibit several mercury-containing products, including fluorescent lamps, photographic film and paper, and propellant for satellites and spacecraft. This contributes to our goal of protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury.”
“I thank all hon. Members for their contributions. I particularly pay tribute to our colleagues from Northern Ireland for coming and sharing their perspective on this and how it relates to the communities they represent. I will do my best to respond to the questions. Affordable and accessible dental care is important to many of us, so it is no surprise that we have had such an interesting discussion covering many points. Not all will be directly related to the statutory instrument, but that does not mean it is not important that we cover them. I will try my best to run through many of the questions raised today.”
“In fact, I heard just this morning that negotiations started in 2012, so it has taken quite a while to get to this point. The UK’s role in these negotiations was informed by the expertise and passion of marine scientists, legal scholars and environmental advocates, and I thank them all for their contributions. The BBNJ agreement has achieved the 60 ratifications required for its entry into force, which will happen on 17 January 2026. We expect the first meeting of the conference of the parties to take place later in 2026, and the UK can attend that meeting as a party only if it has ratified the agreement at least 30 days previously.”
“In April 2024, I was the shadow Minister on a debate on this topic, and I made the commitment that if Labour were lucky enough to win the election, we would ratify this treaty, so I am very pleased to be able to say that we are going to. People in civil society, academia and industry will be delighted to see the introduction of the Bill. Organisations such as the National Oceanography Centre and the Natural History Museum have provided invaluable support to the UK delegation. I also thank the High Seas Alliance and the World Wide Fund for Nature, as well as many other environmental non-governmental organisations, for their unwavering commitment. The BBNJ agreement is the result of years of dialogue and negotiation involving stakeholders from all around the world.”
“I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill is a landmark piece of legislation that will implement obligations in the United Nations BBNJ agreement in UK law and enable us to move towards ratification of this historic agreement. I am sure the Bill will be welcomed by Members in all parts of the House. I recognise the contribution of Members, particularly those on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, the Environmental Audit Committee and the all-party parliamentary group for the ocean, who have kept oceans high on the parliamentary agenda. In all fairness, I pay tribute to the previous Government, who did a lot of work on the Bill. I am personally proud that we are turning words into action.”
“From one of the heaviest fish, the sunfish, to the delicate sea butterfly, this vast expanse of ocean is home to extraordinary biodiversity and ecosystems that are vital to the health of our planet. It sustains fisheries that feed billions, and it underpins weather patterns, coastal protections and the livelihoods of people across the globe, but these areas of the ocean are vulnerable to exploitation, degradation and irreversible harm.”
“I cannot disagree with my hon. Friend on that, can I? I thank him for his comments. As I said, it means a lot to me to be able to stand here today and say that I have fulfilled in government the commitment that I made in opposition. We need to pass the Bill and the associated secondary legislation before we can take the next steps to ratification, so it is about not just the passage of this Bill but the statutory instruments that will follow it. I know that all sides of the House will want to see the UK playing a leading role in future discussions at the conference of the parties, and that is why we must maintain momentum. The Bill marks a significant step in the UK’s commitment to protecting the two thirds of the world’s ocean that lie beyond the jurisdiction of a single nation.”
“I can offer the hon. Gentleman that reassurance. That is an important point well made. The BBNJ marks an historic breakthrough. It is a multilateral treaty adopted under the United Nations convention on the law of the sea that is designed to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The agreement delivers on four critical fronts. First, it established new obligations to share the benefits arising from research into and the use of marine genetic resources from these ocean areas. Secondly, it created a mechanism to establish area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, which was an essential step to safeguard fragile ecosystems.”
“Parts 2, 3 and 4 are designed to correspond and give effect to the three core sections of the BBNJ agreement relating to marine genetic resources, area-based management tools and environmental impact assessments.”
“The journey to the agreement started with an ad hoc informal working group in 2006, before it progressed to a preparatory commission that worked through 2016 and 2017 and culminated in a formal inter-Government conference that negotiated the text between 2018 and 2023. The UK has already played a leading role in shaping the agreement over the course of more than a decade of negotiations. In September 2023, we were one of the first countries to sign the agreement when it opened for signature at the UN, and today, through the Bill, the UK takes a major step towards ratification. I will now outline the structure of the Bill, which is divided into five parts.”
“Of course, domestic marine protected areas are not within the remit of the Bill because we are talking about areas beyond national jurisdiction. What I can say is that the UK Government have introduced a consultation looking at banning bottom trawling in 41 of our marine protected areas. That consultation is out now. We are showing our commitment to oceans on not only an international scale but a national scale. Thirdly, the agreement strengthens the framework for environmental impact assessments by building on the provisions of the UN convention on the law of the sea to ensure that new activities in these areas are sustainable and responsible. Fourthly, it reinforces capacity building for developing states and promotes broader technological transfer.”
“The Bill supports our efforts to maintain multilateral agreements and international governance as the bedrock of our global community, and to address collectively the biggest issues of our generation: climate change, food insecurity and harm to marine environments—issues that affect not just the UK, but every nation on Earth. I hope that Members will recognise the urgency and importance of this moment. The ocean cannot wait, and the consequences of inaction are profound. This Bill is an opportunity to act, to protect marine life, to support sustainable development and to ensure that the benefits of the ocean are shared fairly and responsibly. I commend this Bill to the House.”
“The provisions in the Bill may appear to be narrow and technical, but once implemented, they will enable the UK to participate fully in global efforts to conserve and sustainably use the ocean beyond national jurisdiction. Working with our international partners, the BBNJ agreement will allow us to safeguard fragile ecosystems, protect endangered species and ensure that scientific benefits are shared fairly and responsibly. The Bill is rooted in this Government’s broader environmental and international goals. We are protecting and improving the marine environment at home and internationally to meet the global commitment to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, and this Bill is a key instrument in delivering that goal.”
“In addition to the Bill, secondary legislation is required before the UK can formally ratify the BBNJ agreement. We will need to make changes to domestic legislation to implement the BBNJ agreement provisions relating to environmental impact assessments and to define digital sequence information. Those issues require engagement with stakeholders, and statutory instruments will be laid before Parliament after the Bill receives Royal Assent. Once the secondary legislation is in force, a standard six-week process will allow us to finalise the instrument of ratification, which includes signature and formal submission to the United Nations.”
“Part 4 updates domestic marine licensing legislation to meet the environmental impact assessment requirements set out in the agreement. These changes apply to licensable marine activities that take place in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It provides the power needed to adapt the UK’s domestic marine licensing and related environmental assessment system as new international standards and guidelines are agreed by the BBNJ conference of the parties. For example, that may include applying the latest standards for environmental assessments or for the ongoing monitoring of impacts. In short, it will future-proof the UK’s marine licensing legislation, ensuring that we can keep pace with emerging technologies and activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction.”
“Part 3 of the Bill provides powers to allow the UK to implement internationally agreed measures in relation to marine protected areas and other area-based management tools established in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Any such measures will be agreed in meetings of the conference of the parties and will aim to manage activities in geographically defined areas of the ocean to achieve conservation and sustainable use objectives. Part 3 also ensures that the UK can implement any emergency measures adopted by the conference of the parties to respond to any natural or man-made disasters in areas beyond national jurisdiction that may require, for example, restrictions on navigation of UK ships or discharges from UK crafts.”
“The measures in the Bill also require repositories and institutions holding marine genetic resources to provide access to samples under reasonable conditions. That will apply to bodies like the Natural History Museum, the National Oceanography Centre and UK universities. Similarly, UK databases containing digital sequence information from marine genetic resources will need to ensure public access. Marine genetic resources may hold the key to future medicines, enzymes and sustainable technologies. This is a fast-growing global sector, and our universities and biotech firms are world leaders. Taken together, the measures will allow our researchers and companies to remain at the cutting edge of marine genetic discovery, benefiting from and contributing to global research in this space.”
“These notifications will provide valuable data on material collected and on the results of research in areas beyond national jurisdiction. These notifications will be passed on to a clearing-house mechanism—a core part of the future architecture of the BBNJ agreement. The clearing-house mechanism will act as a global online notification hub, where parties to the agreement will submit their notifications, allowing researchers from the UK and elsewhere to see what is being collected from where and how it is being used. That function is key to the benefit-sharing mechanisms under the agreement, enabling researchers from developing countries to work from the same scientific data as a researcher in the UK. That will also facilitate the development of cross-national research groups crucial to supporting breakthrough scientific discoveries.”
“These measures mean that UK researchers conducting collection activities from UK craft or equipment, such as royal research ships or autonomous systems, will need to notify a national focal point within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before and after the collection of these resources. Additionally, any users of marine genetic resources or digital sequence information will need to notify the national focal point once results of utilisation are available and make those results available in publicly accessible repositories or databases. The results of utilisation, including publications such as journal articles and patents granted, should detail the outcome of research and development on these resources.”
“I pay tribute to all the fishermen throughout the United Kingdom who play such a vital role in helping to feed our nation. The Bill also ensures that the UK has the necessary powers to implement decisions adopted at future meetings of the BBNJ conference of the parties, beginning with the marine genetic resource provision. Part 2 of the Bill sets out the requirements related to the collection and use of marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction and digital sequence information generated on those marine genetic resources.”
“I wonder if I could offer some helpful clarity. This debate is on BBNJ—biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, with the word “beyond” giving a clue to the fact that it does not relate to British waters. The points the hon. Gentleman is raising, about what impact the high seas will have on offshore wind development here, might therefore not be entirely valid, and his points about the impact on British fishermen fishing in UK waters might not be covered by the global ocean treaty. I wonder if it might be helpful for him to read the explanatory notes alongside the Bill.”
“We have introduced a new era of accountability. We are resetting, reforming and revolutionising the water sector, putting public health and the environment first and delivering the change rightly demanded by the British people. With the most ambitious targets on sewage water pollution in history, we will halve sewage water pollution by 2030.”
“Unsurprisingly, I could not agree more. I thank my hon. Friend for his work to champion his community here in Parliament. The previous Government oversaw record levels of sewage pollution in our rivers, lakes and seas, but this Government have secured £104 billion of private investment to upgrade crumbling pipes and halve sewage pollution by 2030, so that communities can once again take pride in their rivers, lakes and seas.”
“Lady will be well aware of the research project with £1 million of funding that we announced to look into all sources of pollution and what we can do to clean up this beautiful place in our country.”
“The hon. Lady raises a really important point. Agricultural pollution is incredibly serious, and this Government recognise that. We have updated the DEFRA statutory guidance for the farming rules for water, and I recently hosted a roundtable with farmers, environmental organisations and the water industry to bring the voices of stakeholders to the fore. We have committed to including a new regional element in the new regulator to ensure greater involvement in water planning. By moving to a catchment-based model for water systems planning, we can tackle all sources of pollution entering the waterways, including agricultural pollution. I have a very keen interest in the River Wye; I went to see it last year, and it is absolutely beautiful. The hon.”
“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to be angry about the state in which our rivers, lakes and seas have been left, and I recognise the trouble that a failing water company causes for his constituency. That is why we have committed to resetting, reforming and revolutionising the water sector and why we are establishing a new, single and powerful regulator that can fully hold all companies to account and ensure that they are delivering for the British people and cleaning up our waterways for good.”
“The hon. Lady raises a really interesting point—it is perhaps worrying how interested I am getting in what we can do with manure and human waste to provide organic fertiliser in our country. She has given a brilliant example of what can be done, and I will make sure that the Minister who is responsible for the circular economy, my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry East (Mary Creagh), gets to hear about it and learn more.”