VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Water Charges

Asked by Lee AndersonReform UKDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 27 March 2025UIN 27675

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinvesting fines collected from water companies in reducing water bills.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Water Restoration Fund, which launched in April last year, is reinvesting funding based on water company environmental fines and penalties into projects to improve the water environment.

Up to £11 million of funding was made available on a competitive basis to support a range of water restoration projects.

Following a rigorous assessment process, I am pleased to say that current applicants to the Water Restoration Fund have been contacted regarding the outcome of their application. Further details regarding which projects have been successful will be shared in due course once funding agreements have been finalised.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim