Some inaccurate claims about the #EnvironmentBill have been circulated over the weekend.
Our proposals will categorically reduce, not increase, the amount of untreated #sewage in our waters.
Here's how 👇🧵
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Our proposals will categorically reduce, not increase, the amount of untreated #sewage in our waters.
Here's how 👇🧵
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There have been claims that our amendment is weaker than the one put forward by the Lords - this is incorrect.
Our amendment says that water companies must progressively reduce harm from #StormOverflows.
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Our amendment says that water companies must progressively reduce harm from #StormOverflows.
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That means they must reduce the operation of storm overflows - plain and simple. This does not override existing law, but places an ADDITIONAL duty on companies.
Our version brings the new duty under the Water Industry Act’s powerful enforcement mechanism.
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Our version brings the new duty under the Water Industry Act’s powerful enforcement mechanism.
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It ensures Ofwat can enforce the new duty on companies.
Our new enforcement body, the Office for Environmental Protection, will hold Ofwat, Govt and other regulators to account in matters of environmental law.
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Our new enforcement body, the Office for Environmental Protection, will hold Ofwat, Govt and other regulators to account in matters of environmental law.
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The Lords' amendment does not include a workable enforcement mechanism.
It does not allow Ofwat to fine, direct or otherwise force companies to comply with this duty. This is crucial if we are to see the improvements we all want.
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It does not allow Ofwat to fine, direct or otherwise force companies to comply with this duty. This is crucial if we are to see the improvements we all want.
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We published an independently-written report about the costs of taking action.
Complete elimination of #sewage discharges would cost between £350 billion to £600 billion – adding up to £1000 a year on bills.
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Complete elimination of #sewage discharges would cost between £350 billion to £600 billion – adding up to £1000 a year on bills.
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Our amendment is part of a broader package in the Bill:
*New reporting duties on companies
*New reporting duties on the @EnvAgency
*Long-term planning for investment
*Live spill alerts
*A Govt plan to fix this
- all new legal requirements in the #EnvironmentBill
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*New reporting duties on companies
*New reporting duties on the @EnvAgency
*Long-term planning for investment
*Live spill alerts
*A Govt plan to fix this
- all new legal requirements in the #EnvironmentBill
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AND on top of measures outside the Bill:
*Instructing Ofwat to incentivise significant reductions in overflows
*£3.1bn investment in overflow reduction 2020-25
*A cross-industry Taskforce
*A review of sustainable drainage requirements
All this means significant action.
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*Instructing Ofwat to incentivise significant reductions in overflows
*£3.1bn investment in overflow reduction 2020-25
*A cross-industry Taskforce
*A review of sustainable drainage requirements
All this means significant action.
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We have repeatedly said the amount of #sewage which is pumped into our waters is unacceptable
We are the first Government to take action on this, but it won't be solved overnight and will need significant investment.
Our #EnvironmentBill is a key part of the solution.
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We are the first Government to take action on this, but it won't be solved overnight and will need significant investment.
Our #EnvironmentBill is a key part of the solution.
(9/9)
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