MP welcomes Lib Dem win in sewage campaign

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has welcomed the Government's decision to cave into the Liberal Democrat campaign to end sewage discharges into rivers, by accepting the party's amendment which stops taxpayers' money going to water companies unless the discharges stop.

Tim had signed a Lib Dem amendment to the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill. The Bill had originally written a blank cheque of taxpayers' money to polluting water companies.

The Government's original proposal was described as "scandalous" given the firms' polluting habits and multi-million pound bonuses to executives last year.

The change to the Bill means the UK Infrastructure Bank can only fund water companies if they produce a costed and timed plan for ending sewage discharges into rivers.

The Liberal Democrats will continue their campaign to demand the Government puts an end to water companies poisoning rivers and wildlife with sewage discharges.

Tim said: "I'm delighted that the Government have seen sense and caved in to our campaign.

"Our amendment ensures water companies won't receive a blank cheque with taxpayers' money whilst they pollute our rivers and damage local wildlife.

"It would have been scandalous for taxpayers' money to be thrown at firms who pay their execs multi-million pound bonuses, all whilst destroying our environment.

"I'm really grateful to everyone who has been campaigning on this, in particular my fellow Lib Dem MP Richard Foord who tabled the motion and who has campaigned vociferously on this issue ever since his historic by-election victory in Tiverton and Honiton last summer.

"There is a long way still to go on this campaign but this is a strong first step in protecting our lakes and rivers from sewage."

Tim is now encouraging people to sign his petition calling for a tax on the profits of water companies to be spent on improving the sewage system and protecting lakes and rivers.

Tim's petition can be signed here.