OPINION

       Environment Secretary Steve Reed (Image: Getty)

       The River Thames is more than just a body of water. Its story is part of who we are, winding its way through our history and national identity as well as our towns. As it flows past rowers in Henley and Marlow, by Windsor Castle, and through the heart of London alongside the Houses of Parliament, the Tate Modern and Tower Bridge – the river quietly reflects the history of our nation.

       South Bank is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe, many of us have felt a sense of pride in admiring its natural beauty, and of course we come together to watch world-famous sporting events like the Boat Race. So, when sewage pours into the Thames, or any of our rivers, it’s no wonder people are so angry. I’m angry too.

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       It’s shocking that last year sewage spilled into the Thames – along and around the Boat Race route – for close to 7,000 hours, or 1,343 spills in total. That’s five sewage spills every single day of the year.

       Thames Water has treated the river like an open drain while lining their bosses’ pockets with multimillion-pound bonuses.

       With our new Labour Government, that comes to an end.

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       The newly activated London Tideway Tunnel will reduce sewage spills into the Thames by around 95%. Since coming into operation, the tunnel has captured enough sewage to fill Wembley Stadium five times over and stopped it pouring into the river.

       This Government has set a clear course, putting water companies under tough special measures through our landmark Water Special Measures Act.

       We’ve banned unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses and introduced criminal charges with potential jail time for those who break anti-pollution laws.

       We’ve ringfenced customers’ money that’s earmarked for improving infrastructure so it can never again be diverted to pay for bonuses and dividends as happened under the Conservatives. If it’s not spent how it should be, the money will go back to billpayers – not to company executives or shareholders.

       We’re backing this up with the biggest investment the water industry has ever seen – ￡104 billion of private-sector funding over the next five years. ￡20.5 billion of this will fund essential work across London and the wider Thames Valley region, including maintenance and infrastructure upgrades that will stop sewage spills.

       That vast amount of investment will fund modern water-cleaning facilities, nine new reservoirs, and long-overdue repairs on our leaking water and sewage system.

       It’s a huge step forward. But we know we can’t stop there.

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       Six months ago, I asked the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Jon Cunliffe, to lead a root-and-branch review of the water industry to find out exactly what’s gone wrong so we can put it right. He’s engaged with experts, campaigners and customers, and his recommendations, due this summer, will shape new laws to reform our water industry, so the mistakes of the past can never happen again.

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       At last, we can look forward to cleaner rivers. But this investment in our water infrastructure will also support the building of 1.5 million new homes, 150 major infrastructure projects, and the next generation of British industry – from gigafactories to data centres.

       Labour’s Plan for Change is about more than just fixing a broken system. It’s about building a stronger, cleaner, more prosperous Britain. We’re cracking down on polluters, standing up for billpayers, and securing our country’s future.

       Before last year’s Boat Race, some of the rowers were throwing up because of contaminated water. Britain deserves better. This Government has its oars in the water, we are powering ahead, and we’ll clean up our rivers for good.