Criminal probes into water firms hit record high as Tory record blasted
The Government has announced 81 criminal investigations have been opened over sewage spills and other breachers since the general election
A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into water firms since the general election - with a Labour frontbencher warning bosses could end up behind bars.
An unprecedented 81 allegations of illegal sewage spills and other breaches are being probed, the Government said - a figure that has more than doubled since the general election. Thames Water has the highest number of investigations against it, with 31, while Anglian Water has 22, Government figures show.
Severn Trent Water and United Utilities both have seven, the data shows. Company chiefs found to have broken the law could face millions of pounds in fines and jail terms of up to five years.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed accused the Tories of trying to "cover up" the state of the crisis while they were in power. Labour claims former water minister Robbie Moore ordered Environment Agency officials not to put key data on oil spills on the front page of an online portal.
Mr Reed said: 'Not only did the Conservatives oversee record levels of sewage dumping, they also shamelessly tried to cover it up. And Reform didn't even mention sewage in their manifesto, Nigel Farage simply doesn't care about our beautiful rivers, lakes and seas.
"This Labour Government is cleaning up the foul mess the Tories left behind with a record number of criminal investigations into lawbreaking water companies - which could see bosses behind bars.'
The Government has ramped up spot checks on water companies since July, with inspections quadrupling since July. The Environment Agency said it had uncovered "widespread law-breaking".
Philip Duffy, chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: 'This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.
'Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches."
And he said the current wave of action is "just the beginning". James Wallace, chief executive of campaign group River Action, said: "It's good to see the Government finally taking water pollution seriously."
But he was not convinced water bosses will end up in prison. He voiced concerns that Rachel Reeves ' forthcoming spending review could see the Environment Agency budget cut, stating: ""Tough talk needs backing with real resources."
Ali Plummer, from the Wildlife and Countryside Link - which brings together conservation groups, said the number of investigations should "should set alarm bells ringing in every corner of Government".
He said: "This isn't a case of isolated bad practice - it's evidence of systemic failure. For too long, pollution has been treated as a manageable cost rather than a criminal offence. What we need now is proper funding for regulators so they can investigate, enforce, and hold powerful polluters to account."
A spokesperson for industry body Water UK said: "It is right that water companies are investigated and held to account when things go wrong. Almost 99% of sewage and water treatment works meet their permits and we are focused on getting to 100%."
A Tory spokesman said: 'The Conservatives began the process of reforming Britain's water and sewage systems. In opposition, we have engaged with Labour's limited proposals and their rehashing of the former Conservative Government's policy, seeking to improve their ideas by putting forward amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill.
'While in government, we took action to ban bonuses for bosses of water companies that committed criminal breaches, we prosecuted water companies that illegally polluted our rivers and we delivered on our ambitious pledge to ensure 100 per cent of storm overflows are monitored. This was up from 7 per cent compared to when Labour left office in 2010.
'The Labour Government made big promises on water, and we will continue to hold them to account to ensure they continue the work of the previous Conservative Government to improve our water and sewage systems for billpayers.'
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