Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her long-term strategy is for reducing sewage discharges from storm overflows; and what targets, timelines and investment requirements have been set for water companies to deliver those reductions.

To deliver on the Government’s Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, we are expecting £60 billion of investment to be delivered across England by 2050.

Water companies are investing over £11 billion in PR24, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales over the next five years. This investment will be targeted at those affecting the most sensitive sites for ecological and human health.

We want to better address the root causes of pollution head on, by shifting the focus towards ‘pre-pipe’ solutions, such as rainwater management and tackling sewer misuse. These changes are more sustainable and will deliver wider benefits such as reducing flood risk and increasing biodiversity. To enable this shift, we will ensure legislation, funding streams and regulatory mechanisms support the delivery of pre-pipe solutions.