New pledge on sewage slammed as 'PR spin'

CAMPAIGNERS have blasted the Environment Secretary’s pledge to cut sewage pollution from water companies in half by 2030.

- By Steph Spyro

Steve Reed will announce the goal today, with the Government saying it marks the first time ministers have set a clear target on reducing sewage pollution to which they will be held accountable.

But Giles Bristow, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, said: “If ministers believe rehashed pledges and PR spin will silence the roar for real reform of our failing water sector, they’re sorely mistaken.

“There’s no commitment here to overhaul the profit-driven system responsible for the sewage crisis — even slashing pollution by 50% still means 200,000 raw-sewage spills a year by 2030.