Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is expected to announce plans next week to introduce tougher fines for polluting but opposition politicians have called for her to resign, accusing the government of 'turning Britain's waterways into an open sewer'.
Ms Coffey's plans also include a six-week consultation examining the possibility of strengthening the Environment Agency's ability to impose sanctions without going through the courts.
Currently penalties and fines imposed by water regulator Ofwat are returned to the Treasury but under the new plans, money will instead be returned to Defra.Speaking about her plans, Ms Coffey said:"I know how important our beautiful rivers, lakes, streams and coastlines are for people and nature - and I couldn't agree more that more needs to be done to protect them.
"Through the Water Restoration Fund, I will be making sure that money from higher fines and penalties - taken from water company profits, not customers - is channelled directly back into the rivers, lakes and streams where it is needed."
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Therese Coffey Faces Calls To Resign Following 300,000 Sewage Spills In RiversThe environment secretary is accused of letting water companies get away with a 'national scandal'.
Weiterlesen »
Sewage spills fall by nearly a fifth, but it's 'not down to water firms' actions'The government said the amount of sewage being discharged into England's waters is 'unacceptable', after it emerged more than 300,000 spills were recorded last year.
Weiterlesen »
Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch says palm oil is 'great product' after deal criticised for endangering orangutansThe UK has been accepted into the CPTPP, which includes Malaysia where much of the world's palm oil is produced and where orangutans' habitats are destroyed to produce the material used in half of supermarket products.
Weiterlesen »
Strike action called off as Secretary of State agrees to meet unionsIndustrial action which was due to take place has been called off after Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris agreed to meet with union representatives.
Weiterlesen »
Emergency services rush to water rescue in Whitchurch just before midnightFirefighters rushed to Whitchurch to rescue a male from the water just before midnight.
Weiterlesen »
More shellfish washed up on Saltburn beach after die-offThe Environment Agency says the deaths are weather-related and normal for the time of year.
Weiterlesen »