Pollution in rivers on Lords agenda

Debate

Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (Liberal Democrats) put forward the debate.

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns.     

Members speaking

Members speaking in the debate included:

• Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour), former shadow secretary of state at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green), vice-president of the Local Government Authority
• Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative), vice-president of the Association of Drainage Authorities
• Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrats), vice-president of the Wildlife and Countryside Link.

Opening the debate, Baroness Bakewell said:

'Water companies continue to discharge sewage into rivers, lakes and coastlines. At the same time, the government are watering down environmental protections and allowing sewage discharges to continue until 2050.'

Lord Douglas-Miller (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responded on behalf of the government:

'In tackling this challenge, it is really important to be clear that there are both legal and illegal discharges of sewage and that the government are taking action to reduce both.

'[The government is] directing £2.2 billion of new, accelerated investment into vital infrastructure to improve water quality and secure water supplies.'

Catch up

Watch and read the debate

Watch on Parliament TV or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

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