Luke Pollard responds to Environment Agency figures on the failure of water companies to meet environmental targets

Luke Pollard MP, Labour’s Shadow Fisheries, Flooding and Water Minister, responding to Environment Agency figures on the failure of water companies to meet environmental targets, said:

“The focus of water companies needs to be on protecting the environment and fragile habitats, preventing flooding, keeping bills down and fighting climate change. But all too often the focus is on returning big dividends to private shareholders. 

“Today’s damning assessment by the Environment Agency shows water companies are failing. We are in the midst of a climate emergency and water companies are doing too little to protect our environment with many falling back. 

“Labour will take water companies into public ownership, bringing bills down and resetting the priorities for the sector away from profits for shareholders and onto protecting our environment.”