Clean water campaigners celebrated after 'scandalous plans to channel taxpayers’ money into water companies responsible for dumping raw sewage into Oxford’s rivers' were blocked.
The Government has accepted an amendment to the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill tabled by the Lib Dems in Parliament will ‘ensure strict sewage discharge conditions are placed on water companies before they can receive funds from the proposed Infrastructure Bank’.
The new Infrastructure Bank is intended to support green projects to help the UK reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Oxford and West Abingdon MP Layla Moran, who signed the amendment, has previously slammed ‘a blank cheque written with taxpayers money to fund polluting, profiteering firms’.
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She said it was victory for campaigners trying to safeguard rivers for swimmers and wildlife.
Ms Moran said after months and years of campaigning the Government had finally been “worn down”.
She said: “The prospect of taxpayers funds going to water companies who are paying their executives millions of pounds in bonuses, while permitting prolific sewage discharges is scandalous
“This is a victory for millions of people across the country who have voiced their outrage at water companies being allowed to get away with polluting rivers, lakes and coastlines."
But she added: “The fight continues and there is a still a long way to go.
"The Government is still refusing to ban sewage discharges into swimming water and areas where protected wildlife live. And they are still refusing to ban water company CEO’s rewarding themselves with bonuses whilst this environmental scandal happens.”
The Department for Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs has been contacted.
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
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