Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has called for an end to the Tory sewage crisis and backed Labour’s plan to clamp down on discharges ruining waterways.
Gwynne has long called for further action from the Government to tackle discharges and industrial waste. Studies show that the River Tame, which runs through Tameside and Stockport, is one of the most polluted waterways in the world. Most recent figures show that in 2021 there was 81,588 monitored spills reported by United Utilities in 2021 alone.
Gwynne met with Jim McMahon, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for the environment, and punk singer turned environmental campaigner Feargal Sharkey in Parliament earlier this week to discuss Labour’s plans to tackle the crisis.
Labour has committed to:
- Introduce automatic fines and compulsory monitoring for water companies.
- Toughen up the sanctions for filing water companies.
- End systematic discharges by 2030.
Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said:
“This Tory sewage crisis is destroying our precious waterways, and doing untold damage to our local environment. Labour is the only party with a plan down to clamp down on this unacceptable practise.
“It was great to meet with Feargal and Jim, and we spoke a lot about the serious problems in the River Tame, and why it’s time to get tough on failing water bosses.
“I have no doubt that the next Labour Government will end systematic discharges, and take serious action to protect our environment.”
Pictured L-R: Jim McMahon, Andrew Gwynne and Feargal Sharkey in Parliament earlier this week.