Anna Dixon takes action to end sewage dumping in River Aire and River Wharfe

Anna Dixon Member of Parliament for the Shipley constituency, has taken proactive steps to address pollution in the rivers of her area, delivering on her commitment to end sewage dumping in the Aire and Wharfe.

In a speech delivered in the House of Commons last night, she expressed her support for a significant new piece of legislation aimed at the water sector. The legislation promises to introduce the most substantial increase in enforcement powers in a decade.

The newly introduced Water (Special Measures) Bill includes several important changes, such as the possibility of imprisonment for water executives who fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations, the banning of bonuses for CEOs and senior leadership unless high standards are met, and new cost recovery powers for regulators, ensuring that water companies are responsible for the costs of enforcement actions and investigations.

Anna Dixon also called for the Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire Water to return her £371,000 bonus, given the company's record on sewage discharge and poor customer service.

Under the previous Conservative government, illegal sewage dumping in the UK’s rivers reached record highs. In particular, rivers within the Shipley constituency experienced significant pollution, with 1,753 sewage dumps occurring in 2023, lasting 8,070 hours.

Last week, Ms. Dixon also personally hosted an event in Westminster for MPs to hear from campaign groups, including the Ilkley Clean River Group, ahead of the Bill's introduction.

Anna Dixon MP at a Westminster drop-in event with the Ilkley Clean River Group

Speaking in yesterday's debate, Anna Dixon said: “The regulators have failed in their job. That is why I am so proud that the Bill will require more frequent and accurate monitoring, and introduce fixed monetary penalties so that companies do not get away with it any longer.

“Under the last Government, our water was catastrophically mismanaged. Regulation was weakened, there was a failure to invest in infrastructure, and record levels of sewage were pumped into our rivers and seas.

“Meanwhile, bosses creamed off the profits and paid themselves in bonuses.

“Under-investment has left my constituency with creaking infrastructure, high bills and polluted rivers. I am pleased that the Government have set up an independent commission on water.

“To undertake fundamental reform, it is vital that that includes in-depth analysis of the finances and governance structures. Our once beautiful rivers, such as the Wharfe and Aire, are now awash with sewage, and our water infrastructure is leaking.

“I welcome the Bill and the measures that it sets out to deal with the crisis in our water industry.