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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing surface water inflows to the foul sewer network on storm overflow discharges into rivers and other watercourses.

The Government recognises the importance of better rainwater management in reducing sewage pollution, alleviating water supply issues, reducing flood risk and enabling growth. We will ensure that legislation, the regulatory framework and funding enables more pre-pipe solutions, such as sustainable drainage systems and rainwater harvesting.