Scrapping Ofwat a big win for campaign to end sewage scandal in Bristol
- The Government has announced that Ofwat is being replaced by a tougher water regulator.
- The Liberal Democrats have led the campaign to end the sewage scandal for years, calling for the replacement of Ofwat since 2022.
- Bristol Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for cleaner rivers and will hold the Government to account for the promises it makes.
Bristol Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that Ofwat is being replaced by a tougher water regulator as a victory for local people.
Scrapping Ofwat and bringing in much stronger regulation of water companies to tackle sewage dumping was a key commitment in the national Liberal Democrat manifesto last year, and a campaign priority within Bristol.
In November, the Liberal Democrats led the council in calls to clean up Bristol’s rivers with the Save Our Rivers motion, which included calls to replace Ofwat.
Cllr Andrew Brown, Liberal Democrat candidate for Bristol South in 2024, said:
“I am pleased that action is finally being taken to tackle sewage dumping and clean up our rivers, after years of the Conservatives turning a blind eye to this scandal.
"The Liberal Democrats have led the way in demanding tougher action against sewage pollution, soaring bills, and bloated bonuses for water company bosses.
“In Bristol, we were proud to lead the council to call for measures to tackle the sewage scandal and demand better regulation of the big water companies.
“This fight is far from over. The government must now get on with setting up a new, stronger regulator to hold water companies to account. It must also act to take water companies out of private hands and create Public Interest Companies – this will allow for profits to be reinvested for long-term improvements to our water supply.
“The Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign to ensure sewage spills are stopped, bills brought down, and our waterways are cleaned up for everyone to enjoy in future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Liberal Democrat Bristol City Council motion calling for the replacement of Ofwat (Public Pack)Altered Golden Motion - Save Our Rivers Agenda Supplement for Full Council, 12/11/2024 18:00
- Press release for the council motion Lib Dem Councillors Call for Cleaner Rivers in Bristol - Bristol Liberal Democrats
- The Liberal Democrats first called for Ofwat to be scrapped in 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/06/ofwat-attacks-water-firms-lack-of-investment-to-cut-sewage-discharges
- The Liberal Democrat 2024 General Election manifesto called for "replacing Ofwat with a tough new regulator with new powers to prevent sewage dumping" https://www.libdems.org.uk/fileadmin/groups/2_Federal_Party/Documents/PolicyPapers/Manifesto_2024/For_a_Fair_Deal_-_Liberal_Democrat_Manifesto_2024.pdf
- For Ed Davey MP’s response to the Government’s announcement that it will cut water pollution by 2030 https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/water-pollution-people-fed-up-with-empty-promises