Keighley and Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore has backed new legislation that would see unlimited fines for water companies that pollute the environment.
The new laws come after the local MP, who sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee, called on DEFRA to lift the cap on existing penalties for water companies last year, saying “No company should be above the law”.
Under new laws introduced by the government today (12 July), the current limit of £250,000 that the Environment Agency and Natural England can impose directly on operators will be lifted.
New powers will also enable these higher penalties to be levied as a civil sanction for offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the regime under which the majority of Environment Agency investigations take place.
This will ensure regulators have the right tools to drive compliance across a range of sectors, from energy and water companies to waste operators.
Commenting on the new legislation, Mr Moore said:
“After much consultation with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and my calls to introduce the toughest sanctions on those who pollute our rivers and wider environment, it is fantastic to see the government introducing this legislation, which will see unlimited fines for those who pollute our rivers and scrap the pre-existing cap on civil penalties.
Whether that is the breaching of storm overflow permits or reckless fly-tipping of hazardous waste, this legislation will offer regulators a tougher method of enforcement and allow the most serious cases of pollution to be taken into criminal proceedings.”
“It is encouraging to see the government acting swiftly on its Plan for Water”
