The UK government is facing mounting criticism over its handling of England's sewage crisis, with Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed accusing ministers of "turning a blind eye" to rampant pollution by water companies.
In a scathing attack, Reed highlighted how Southern Water and Thames Water - two of England's largest water providers - have continued to dump raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters despite recording massive profits.
Sewage Spills Reach Crisis Levels
Recent data reveals shocking levels of contamination, with Southern Water discharging sewage for over 160,000 hours last year alone. Thames Water, serving 15 million customers, has similarly come under fire for its environmental record.
"These companies are making billions while our waterways become open sewers," Reed stated. "The Conservative government has completely failed to hold them accountable."
Calls for Immediate Action
The Labour frontbencher outlined a three-point plan to address the crisis:
- Impose automatic fines for illegal sewage discharges
- Ban bonuses for water company executives who pollute
- Give regulators power to prosecute law-breaking firms
Environmental campaigners have welcomed Labour's proposals, with many describing the current situation as "the worst ecological crisis in living memory" for England's rivers.
Government Response Under Scrutiny
Defra ministers have defended their record, pointing to recent legislation aimed at reducing pollution. However, critics argue these measures don't go far enough to prevent regular sewage spills during heavy rainfall.
With public anger growing and summer swimming season approaching, pressure is mounting on the government to take decisive action against what Reed calls "environmental vandalism on an industrial scale."
