Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Welsh Government reduces pollution in the River Wye.
Answered by David T C Davies
Water quality is a devolved matter in Wales. However, the UK Government is working closely with the Welsh Government on cross-border rivers like the River Wye.
On 30 May 2023, the DEFRA Secretary of State and Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS, visited Hereford to discuss the River Wye at a roundtable with Hereford Council local environmental groups and farming representatives. The roundtable agreed to consider water quality issues in the Wye, including how national policies and closer cooperation between UK Government and the Welsh Government could better help local actors to restore the river.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on (a) phosphate pollution in waters in Wales and (b) what steps that government will take to stop pollution travelling downstream into England.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on the effectiveness of Natural Resources Wales.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on pollution in the River Wye.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions his Department has had with the Government in Wales on Natural Resources Wales fulfilling its obligation on helping to reduce pollution in the River Wye.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on ensuring that pollution in cross-border watercourses is a priority for both governments.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Welsh Government fulfils its obligations to reduce pollution in the River Wye.
Answered by David T C Davies
River pollution is the responsibility of Defra and their Arms-Length Body the Environment Agency (EA) in England. Defra is committed to improving the water environment and will continue to work with the EA and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to ensure there is a coordinated response to the management of cross-border watercourses.
The EA and NRW have good working relationships, thereby ensuring consistency and joint working across the border. Both organisations are continuously improving the way they work together to increase effectiveness. Some activities that are currently being improved are the consistency of monitoring and data analysis. This will ensure both bodies have a strong evidence base from which to make decisions.
Examples of this close working relationship include the publication of the River Dee Basin Management Plan – which covers areas in England – by NRW and the development of the River Basin Management Plan for the River Severn – which also includes the Wye Catchment – which will be published by the EA later this year.
Defra understand that the build-up of phosphates in the Wye catchment from the overuse of fertilisers and animal manure will take time to reduce due to its dependence on natural processes. However, work is under way to accelerate reductions in phosphate pollution from wastewater treatment in the River Wye through catchment partnerships, such as the Nutrient Management Board.
The EA believes the Nutrient Management Board remains the right mechanism and collective group to drive action in the Wye catchment. It is working with the Nutrient Management Board members, such as Natural England, NRW, Herefordshire Council and Powys Council, on improving the effectiveness of the Nutrient Management Board because all parties agree there needs to be more action to improve the River Wye’s water quality. Some of the improvements have been seen at the March 2022 Board meeting, and some are ongoing and will take a little longer to embed.
Regarding the effectiveness of NRW, I have recently written to Julie James MS, the Welsh Government Minister responsible for NRW to ask her about the speed of its energy consents.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has plans to restrict Welsh Water to selling water to customers living in Wales.
Answered by Lord Hart of Tenby
Welsh Water is already required in law to provide all customers in England and Wales with the same levels of service.
Responsibility for water and sewerage companies operating wholly or mainly in Wales is a devolved matter. The regulation of Welsh Water is therefore a matter for the Welsh Government.
Section 48 of the Wales Act 2017, when commenced, will align Senedd Cymru/the Welsh Parliament’s responsibilities for water and sewerage with the England-Wales border. The UK Government and Welsh Government are currently discussing when this change should be made. Welsh Water’s ability to sell water to customers in England and Wales will be unaffected by this change.
The joint Intergovernmental Protocol on Water Resources, Water Supply and Water Quality made under the Wales Act 2017 came into effect on 1 April 2018. It provides a mechanism to enable both UK Government and Welsh Government to work together on cross-border issues to avoid any serious adverse impact on water resources, water supply or water quality in England or in Wales.
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will take steps to ensure that customers of Welsh Water resident in England and Wales receive consistent standards of service from that company.
Answered by Lord Hart of Tenby
Welsh Water is already required in law to provide all customers in England and Wales with the same levels of service.
Responsibility for water and sewerage companies operating wholly or mainly in Wales is a devolved matter. The regulation of Welsh Water is therefore a matter for the Welsh Government.
Section 48 of the Wales Act 2017, when commenced, will align Senedd Cymru/the Welsh Parliament’s responsibilities for water and sewerage with the England-Wales border. The UK Government and Welsh Government are currently discussing when this change should be made. Welsh Water’s ability to sell water to customers in England and Wales will be unaffected by this change.
The joint Intergovernmental Protocol on Water Resources, Water Supply and Water Quality made under the Wales Act 2017 came into effect on 1 April 2018. It provides a mechanism to enable both UK Government and Welsh Government to work together on cross-border issues to avoid any serious adverse impact on water resources, water supply or water quality in England or in Wales.