Calls for Coffey to be axed over sewage spills

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Therese Coffey should resign over the amount of sewage water companies have discharged into UK waterways, the Liberal Democrats have said.

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Figures published by the Environment Agency (EA) show a total of 301,091 spills in 2022 in England - an average of 824 per day.

This was a 19% decrease from the previous year but John Leyland, the EA's executive director said this was "down to dry weather, not water company action".

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has accused Ms Coffey of presiding over a "national scandal" and allowing the water companies to get away with environmental crimes.

He said: "These figures are a damning verdict on the Government's failure to protect our treasured rivers and lakes. This is a national scandal and it is happening on the Conservatives' watch.

"A historic drought is no excuse for this Government's inaction and failure. The Environment Secretary has let water companies get away with these environmental crimes for far too long.

"It is clear she simply doesn't care enough to get tough on these polluting firms.