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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton and Jasper Jolly

Water firms could be let off pollution fines as part of government overhaul

Jon Cunliffe Pollution Ofwat
Aerial view of sewage treatment works
A Thames Water sewage treatment plan in west London. The company’s creditors have asked for fines to be forgiven as it attempts to stave off financial collapse. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Water companies could be let off fines for polluting the environment under changes announced in the government’s new white paper.

The environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, hailed the changes as “once-in-a-generation reforms” featuring “tough oversight, real accountability and no more excuses”.

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