When environment minister Steve Reed revealed plans to lock up water executives if they do not co-operate on sewage spill investigations, he was hoping to show the new Labour government is ready to finally fix the sewage crisis.
However, he received a backlash from water campaigners, who not only don’t believe any of the executives will see the inside of a prison cell, but also voiced concerns about the lack of policy and investment to actually deal with the UK’s failing sewage infrastructure.
Campaigners told i Mr Reed’s announcement originally included no mention of a root and branch review into the water industry’s failings before it was “hastily added” after pressure from environmental groups ahead of a speech at Thames Rowing Club in Putney on Thursday morning.
I’m glad that they are at least aware of how upset we all are about pollution. I don’t think it’s enough to command cooperation in investigating spills after they’ve already happened though. Lots of things need to looked at and acted on, quickly.
There’s a good video here about the impact of poultry farming on the Wye for example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TECnFi0NcEI