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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Sophie Zeldin-O'Neill

Starmer criticises government’s ‘flimsy’ plan over water pollution in England

A polluted London waterway
Raw sewage was discharged more than 300,000 times into England’s rivers in 2022, according to the latest Environment Agency figures. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Labour has dismissed government plans that could see water companies in England facing tougher fines and penalties as part of efforts to tackle pollution.

The environment secretary, Thérèse Coffey, is expected to set out plans next week that ministers believe will “make polluters pay”, with fines levied on water companies put into a “water restoration fund”.

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