Greens call for water companies to be taken into public hands as Environment secretary visits polluted Windemere


/ by Green Party

Green Party Co-Leader Adrian Ramsay MP has poured cold water on today’s visit by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to Lake Windemere and the announcement that United Utilities will invest £200m into upgrading 10 wastewater treatment works at Windermere [1]. He said:

“The government is today trumpeting its “Things Can Only Get Cleaner” tour. But the reality is that can only happen if we take back control of our water.

“United Utilities offers a prime example of the failed privatisation experiment with our water.

“More than 140 million litres of waste were pumped into Windermere by the corporation between 2021 and 2023 at times when it was not permitted [2].

“The company then took legal action to try to block public access to data on treated sewage it is discharging into Windermere [3]. That failed.

“So the company has now belatedly agreed to invest £200m in cleaning up Lake Windemere. But it’s been dragged kicking and screaming to act.

“United Utilities has spent years focussed on paying out dividends to shareholders and fat cat salaries rather than treating sewage.

“The Group’s CEO has amassed around £1.41m a year in salary and bonuses and the company will pay its investors – which include some of the world’s biggest asset managers – £339m in dividends this year, up from £310m for 2023. This hike follows reported higher operating profits thanks to a rise in customer bills. All this puts the £200m investment into Windemere into sharp focus.

“It’s time to bring United Utilities and all water companies back into public hands so that our bills can be used to improve the service rather than being siphoned off into the pockets of shareholders.”

Notes

  1. UK government vows to clean up Windermere after sewage criticism | Pollution | The Guardian 
  1. Sewage illegally dumped into Windermere repeatedly over 3 years, BBC finds – BBC News 
  1. Clean water campaigners claim victory in Windermere sewage case | Pollution | The Guardian 

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“Now is the time to make clear we, as a country, stand with Zelensky in working for a lasting just peace.”


by Green Party

Responding to the “bullying” and “shameful” behaviour of President Trump towards President Zelensky, Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns, said:

“What we witnessed today was bullying from one of the most powerful men in the world. It was the antithesis of the diplomacy needed in such a delicate moment. While many Brits watched on in horror with real fear, we call on the Prime Minister to make abundantly clear that he stands with Zelensky in working for a just peace and opposed to the strongman brinkmanship tactics of President Trump. Today’s shameful behaviour by the American administration- of inviting a leader to their country with the intention to bully and humiliate – must be clearly condemned. Now is the time to make clear we, as a country, stand with Zelensky in working for a lasting just peace.”

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Gatwick expansion unwanted, say Greens


by Green Party

Responding to the Transport Secretary’s decision to pursue a positive decision for Gatwick Airport to bring its northern terminal into constant use, (1) Siân Berry Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said:

“The Labour government is trashing its climate credentials one absurd decision at a time. Only one day after receiving critical advice from its own climate advisors on the need to lower flying demand, ministers continue to support yet more unnecessary expansion for the benefit of wealthy investors.

“Pushing through these damaging plans shows such poor economic judgement. Over 100,000 extra flights a year won’t deliver for our communities. Labour should listen to the public who think airport expansion is the wrong priority. Most of us fly once a year if at all and would rather see cheaper train tickets and more bus routes instead to help with our daily journeys and create jobs where we live, in contrast with frequent flyers leaching money out of the economy.

“The green economy grew by ten per cent last year, and this is where Labour should be investing to deliver high-wage, long-term jobs across the entire country.”

(1) Transport planning: Gatwick Airport – GOV.UK

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“There should be zero tolerance of coercion, violence, or sexual abuse.”


/ by Green Party

In response to the review out today concluding that degrading, violent and misogynistic pornography should be banned, Green Party Baroness, Jenny Jones said:

“Online pornography is a space where those who wish to abuse women are currently operating with virtual impunity. We’re clear that it’s the role of government to prevent this abuse, just as we would offline. Strengthening controls for online content is a good first step as we reiterate that there should be zero tolerance of coercion, violence, or sexual abuse.”

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Greens press government to act on Grenfell oversight

Responding to the government’s announcement that it will accept all the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (1), Green MP Carla Denyer urged the government to accept her Private Members’ Bill on preventing future deaths. 

Carla’s Bill calls for the creation of a National Oversight Mechanism which would have responsibility for ensuring that recommendations made following inquests and inquiries are followed. Currently, there is no body which has this responsibility. 

Reacting to the government’s statement, Carla Denyer MP said: 

“The deaths of 72 people in the Grenfell tower fire was an unimaginable tragedy, but worse, it was an avoidable tragedy. We owe it to those who lost their lives to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

“I welcome the Government’s commitment to taking forward all of the report’s recommendations, a vital first step towards justice. 

“The Grenfell Inquiry recognised a failure of the state to properly follow up on the recommendations made by inquests and inquiries – meaning that too often, changes needed to prevent people from harm are simply not made. Time and time again, bereaved families go through the trauma of reliving the circumstances of a loved one’s death at an inquest only for the lessons from that death to be forgotten.

“We urgently need an organisation responsible for making sure that recommendations from inquests and inquiries are actually followed, rather than being forgotten. I have put forward a Bill to create a National Oversight Mechanism for state-related deaths, which would do just that. It would be an independent body, able to scrutinise government action so bereaved families don’t have to be the ones fighting for change.

“The National Oversight Mechanism proposal has the support of over 70 organisations, including Grenfell United, Amnesty, the Mayor of London, and the Institute for Government. It recently featured as a recommendation in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body’s report on deaths of mental health patients. It’s clear that this is badly needed, and I hope the government will support my Bill.” 

(1) Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability  – GOV.UK

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