Remember the public outrage when Government voted to allow privatised water companies to continue the routine dumping of raw sewage into our rivers and our beaches?
Here is what Government proposes to try and rescue itself from shit-creek.
Here is what Government proposes to try and rescue itself from shit-creek.
It is a cruel trick on those of us who want to be able safely to swim in our rivers and beaches. And who don't understand why Government falls over itself to protect water companies who have taken £57bn+ in dividends whilst destroying our waterways. theguardian.com/environment/20…
The proposal isn't worth the paper it is written on for two reasons. It's a confidence trick on the public, a political ruse. Let me explain why.
First, the duty is to "achieve a progressive reduction". But the duty is meaningless. If I was a water company and every year I reduced the amount of sewage I dumped by 1/10,000th I would be making a "progressive reduction" but I could carry on dumping shit for 10,000 years.
Second, if that was not bad enough, Government has simultaneously taken away what little it has given. Cold water swimmers, fishermen, grandparents, environmentalists are all banned from enforcing that theoretical right to compel a reduction in raw sewage dumping.
That's what sub-clause (3) does: it means we can't stop them. Only a Government Minister can enforce (or authorise the enforcement) of that duty.
It's breathtaking cynicism which will make no difference.
It's breathtaking cynicism which will make no difference.
We at @GoodLawProject cannot force the Government to change the amendment. We cannot make it care. But we do think we might have found another way to unlock the door to water companies being sued for sewage dumping: watch this space.
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