Sussex Lib Dems Launch Petition After MP's Weaken Water Regulator

The Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to restore Sussex's rivers, after Conservative and Labour MPs voted to weaken the water regulator, Ofwat.

On 24 April, Parliament voted to impose a 'growth duty' on Ofwat, requiring it to consider growth when taking action against polluting water companies. Those voting in favour included Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex and candidate for East Grinstead and Uckfield at the next election.

The new duty is likely to weaken the ability of the regulator to force water companies to reduce the amount of sewage pumped into England's rivers and seas, according to campaigners including Wildlife and Countryside Link and Surfers Against Sewage.

In 2023, water companies discharged raw sewage into England's rivers for a combined total of 3.6 million hours. This pollution causes serious damage, including to rivers in Sussex like the Ouse, Uck, Adur, Arun and Cuckmere. 

According to the Environment Agency, 0% of England's river stretches are in good health.

In response, Sussex's Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling for the growth duty to be removed. It also calls for water companies to become Public Benefit Companies that are required to prioritise the environment alongside profit.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for East Grinstead and Uckfield, Benedict Dempsey, said:

"Sussex has some of the country's most beautiful rivers. But for too long, water companies have prioritised their profits and dividends over the environment. This new duty makes that even more likely.

"It's time for this pollution to stop. We need to change the way water companies are run so that they have a duty to restore nature as well as turn a profit.

"I know thousands of Sussex residents love and value our rivers. With a general election coming soon, now is the time to send a clear message to all MPs and parliamentary candidates in Sussex that we want to clean our rivers up.

"I ask anyone who agrees to sign our petition."

The petition is available at: www.leweslibdems.org.uk/rivers