Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce legally binding biodiversity targets beyond those in the Environment Act 2021.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are no plans to introduce legally binding biodiversity targets beyond those in the Environment Act 2021.This Government is committed to delivering the 13 legally binding environmental targets set under the Environment Act 2021, which include water, biodiversity, resource efficiency, marine protected areas, and tree and woodland cover.
The Government commissioned a rapid review of the existing Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) to ensure the right policies are in place to deliver our targets. A statement of the rapid review’s key findings was published in January 2025. Later in 2025, we will publish a revised EIP, setting out important delivery information for the ambitious Environment Act targets.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help protect beaches between the mouth of the River Exe and mouth of the River Dart.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) has recruited two new Water Industry Regulation teams who are increasing regulation of water company sites in Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, undertaking more compliance checks (including unannounced inspections), translating storm overflow monitoring data into regulatory intelligence, and increasing enforcement actions for pollution incidents under the Enforcement and Sanctions policy. Inspection locations are prioritised according to environmental sensitivity, such as sites impacting bathing waters, and where EDM data is showing spills are higher than they should be. The Environment Agency increased inspections in 2024-25 and will more than double these in 2025-2026. This includes water company assets in Newton Abbot constituency. It will also attend more incidents.
The EA has also increased the number of farm inspections they are able to deliver and are helping to support the transition to a more sustainable and healthy farming industry. In Devon and Cornwall, dedicated farm inspection officers are currently inspecting farms and undertaking enforcement action in the highest priority catchments including the River Otter and Exe.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of abandoned caravans in Devon.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 places a duty on councils to remove vehicles that are abandoned on land in the open air or on roads. The definition of vehicle within the act includes trailers designed to be towed behind vehicles. This would include caravans.
This duty applies on private land and private roads. Councils can take enforcement action against people who abandon vehicles by issuing a fixed penalty notice or prosecuting them. It is for councils to determine whether any particular vehicle has been abandoned, and whether it is subject to their duty to remove it. The Government has published guidance for councils on abandoned vehicles at: Abandoned vehicles: local authority responsibilities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 36241, tabled on 6 March.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
An answer to Question 36241 was provided on 25 April 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings officials in his Department have held with (a) investor groups, (b) asset managers and (c) shareholder representatives with interests in UK water companies since July 2024.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, and representatives, on various issues, including issues related to the water sector in England.
As part of our Plan for Change, we have delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA). In addition to providing the regulators with the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, the WSMA also introduces new reporting requirements to improve transparency around water company operations. This includes:
Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, has a duty to ensure water companies comply with their statutory obligations and are adequately financed. This includes both environmental and financial obligations.
Where Ofwat assesses companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take enforcement action, through an enforcement order or financial penalty (up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover).
We have overseen the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Independent Commission will review the roles and responsibilities of the water industry regulators; once the Commission has made recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments, both will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.
A Special Administration Regime (SAR) enables a company which provides vital public services (e.g. water, energy, rail) to be put into administration in certain circumstances, to ensure that the public service will continue to be provided pending rescue (via a means such as debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners.
A water company in special administration would be subject to the same regulations as the rest of the sector. This includes following its statutory and environmental obligations.
We expect that following the conclusion of a SAR Government would recoup the funds it had spent financing it through the sale of the water company, with Government funding provided during a SAR taking priority for repayment before most other creditors.
On reporting during an administration, Ofwat monitors the financial position of all water companies and takes action to enable water companies and their investors to strengthen their long-term financial resilience within the context of their licence and broader statutory obligations.
Within a SAR a company would to be subject to the same regulatory requirements, and annual account publication requirements as any other water company. The company’s performance will also continue to be monitored and published by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that costs incurred by the Government for water companies entering special administration are recovered from that company's creditors.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, and representatives, on various issues, including issues related to the water sector in England.
As part of our Plan for Change, we have delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA). In addition to providing the regulators with the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, the WSMA also introduces new reporting requirements to improve transparency around water company operations. This includes:
Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, has a duty to ensure water companies comply with their statutory obligations and are adequately financed. This includes both environmental and financial obligations.
Where Ofwat assesses companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take enforcement action, through an enforcement order or financial penalty (up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover).
We have overseen the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Independent Commission will review the roles and responsibilities of the water industry regulators; once the Commission has made recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments, both will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.
A Special Administration Regime (SAR) enables a company which provides vital public services (e.g. water, energy, rail) to be put into administration in certain circumstances, to ensure that the public service will continue to be provided pending rescue (via a means such as debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners.
A water company in special administration would be subject to the same regulations as the rest of the sector. This includes following its statutory and environmental obligations.
We expect that following the conclusion of a SAR Government would recoup the funds it had spent financing it through the sale of the water company, with Government funding provided during a SAR taking priority for repayment before most other creditors.
On reporting during an administration, Ofwat monitors the financial position of all water companies and takes action to enable water companies and their investors to strengthen their long-term financial resilience within the context of their licence and broader statutory obligations.
Within a SAR a company would to be subject to the same regulatory requirements, and annual account publication requirements as any other water company. The company’s performance will also continue to be monitored and published by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Ofwat's powers to enforce compliance with (a) environmental and (b) financial regulations by water companies.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, and representatives, on various issues, including issues related to the water sector in England.
As part of our Plan for Change, we have delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA). In addition to providing the regulators with the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, the WSMA also introduces new reporting requirements to improve transparency around water company operations. This includes:
Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, has a duty to ensure water companies comply with their statutory obligations and are adequately financed. This includes both environmental and financial obligations.
Where Ofwat assesses companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take enforcement action, through an enforcement order or financial penalty (up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover).
We have overseen the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Independent Commission will review the roles and responsibilities of the water industry regulators; once the Commission has made recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments, both will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.
A Special Administration Regime (SAR) enables a company which provides vital public services (e.g. water, energy, rail) to be put into administration in certain circumstances, to ensure that the public service will continue to be provided pending rescue (via a means such as debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners.
A water company in special administration would be subject to the same regulations as the rest of the sector. This includes following its statutory and environmental obligations.
We expect that following the conclusion of a SAR Government would recoup the funds it had spent financing it through the sale of the water company, with Government funding provided during a SAR taking priority for repayment before most other creditors.
On reporting during an administration, Ofwat monitors the financial position of all water companies and takes action to enable water companies and their investors to strengthen their long-term financial resilience within the context of their licence and broader statutory obligations.
Within a SAR a company would to be subject to the same regulatory requirements, and annual account publication requirements as any other water company. The company’s performance will also continue to be monitored and published by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will require additional public reporting from water companies placed into (a) special measures or (b) special administration.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, and representatives, on various issues, including issues related to the water sector in England.
As part of our Plan for Change, we have delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA). In addition to providing the regulators with the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, the WSMA also introduces new reporting requirements to improve transparency around water company operations. This includes:
Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, has a duty to ensure water companies comply with their statutory obligations and are adequately financed. This includes both environmental and financial obligations.
Where Ofwat assesses companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take enforcement action, through an enforcement order or financial penalty (up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover).
We have overseen the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Independent Commission will review the roles and responsibilities of the water industry regulators; once the Commission has made recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments, both will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.
A Special Administration Regime (SAR) enables a company which provides vital public services (e.g. water, energy, rail) to be put into administration in certain circumstances, to ensure that the public service will continue to be provided pending rescue (via a means such as debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners.
A water company in special administration would be subject to the same regulations as the rest of the sector. This includes following its statutory and environmental obligations.
We expect that following the conclusion of a SAR Government would recoup the funds it had spent financing it through the sale of the water company, with Government funding provided during a SAR taking priority for repayment before most other creditors.
On reporting during an administration, Ofwat monitors the financial position of all water companies and takes action to enable water companies and their investors to strengthen their long-term financial resilience within the context of their licence and broader statutory obligations.
Within a SAR a company would to be subject to the same regulatory requirements, and annual account publication requirements as any other water company. The company’s performance will also continue to be monitored and published by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce a statutory obligation for water companies in special measures to prioritise environmental repair in their restructuring plans.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, and representatives, on various issues, including issues related to the water sector in England.
As part of our Plan for Change, we have delivered on our promise to put water companies under special measures through our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 (WSMA). In addition to providing the regulators with the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, the WSMA also introduces new reporting requirements to improve transparency around water company operations. This includes:
Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales, has a duty to ensure water companies comply with their statutory obligations and are adequately financed. This includes both environmental and financial obligations.
Where Ofwat assesses companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take enforcement action, through an enforcement order or financial penalty (up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover).
We have overseen the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Independent Commission will review the roles and responsibilities of the water industry regulators; once the Commission has made recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments, both will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.
A Special Administration Regime (SAR) enables a company which provides vital public services (e.g. water, energy, rail) to be put into administration in certain circumstances, to ensure that the public service will continue to be provided pending rescue (via a means such as debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners.
A water company in special administration would be subject to the same regulations as the rest of the sector. This includes following its statutory and environmental obligations.
We expect that following the conclusion of a SAR Government would recoup the funds it had spent financing it through the sale of the water company, with Government funding provided during a SAR taking priority for repayment before most other creditors.
On reporting during an administration, Ofwat monitors the financial position of all water companies and takes action to enable water companies and their investors to strengthen their long-term financial resilience within the context of their licence and broader statutory obligations.
Within a SAR a company would to be subject to the same regulatory requirements, and annual account publication requirements as any other water company. The company’s performance will also continue to be monitored and published by Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the conditions on which water companies' licences are renewed where there is repeated (a) pollution or (b) non-compliance.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Where companies have failed to meet their statutory or licence obligations, Ofwat have the power to take action through an enforcement order or financial penalty.
This Government will continue to work with water sector regulators to hold water companies to account on poor performance and drive improvements for customers and environment.
The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works.