Thirty-two campaign groups have issued a joint call to the newly appointed chair of the Water Commission to prioritise river health in its review of the water sector.
Groups including WWF UK, The Wildlife Trusts, The Rivers Trust, the Women’s Institute and River Action have written to Sir John Cunliffe asking his review to deliver on the following asks:
Reform the water sector to prevent companies from prioritising profits over public services and river health.
Strengthen water health goals, ensuring clear and enforceable plans for cleaner rivers.
Ensure regulators have enough funding to monitor and enforce environmental rules effectively.
Secure more public and private funding for environmental goals, with stronger penalties for polluters and greater use of nature-based solutions.
The coalition also set out urgent actions that the government could take ahead of the review. These included: the introduction of a polluter pays levy, support for water-friendly farming measures, fully funded plans for the entire catchment areas of rivers, and a requirement for regulators and companies to adopt a nature-first approach.
Separately last week, the House of Lords debated the Government’s statement on the Water Commission. The prospect of the Commission was widely supported, but two main challenges emerged:
Speed – Shadow Efra minister Lord Rosborough said given its 14 years in opposition, Labour should have had a clear idea how to the fix the industry. He questioned whether any legislation resulting from the review would take effect before 2029. Liberal Democrat Earl Russell said: “The Government talk proudly about their longer-term approach, when the electorate is keen for more radical and immediate action.” He asked whether more “radical and robust” action could be taken under the auspices of the current Water (Special Measures) Bill, rather than waiting for subsequent legislation. For the Government, Baroness Hayman of Ullock said ministers are acting with urgency.
Scope – a number of peers questioned the scope of the review as set out in its terms of reference, suggesting agriculture and development should be more fully in scope.
In addition, Liberal Democrat Baroness Parminter asked about the relationship between the Dan Corry review of Defra’s regulatory framework and the Water Commission. Baroness Hayman said of Corry: “He is doing a very broad overview of everything; it is not limited to the water industry. His review is entirely separate from any work that the commission is doing. If there is any overlap on the effectiveness of the water industry regulators, I am sure that it will be fed into the commission as part of its discussions.”
• Committee stage for the Water (Special Measures) Bill began in the Lords last week and is due to continue today (4 November).
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