Emma Hardy, the water minister, claimed that years of underinvestment had left the country at risk of seasonal shortages, hosepipe bans and an inadequate supply of clean drinking water.
Hardy is announcing the fast-track construction of two new reservoirs, with another seven to come before 2050, after a three-decade period in which none were built. Work has already started on Havant Thicket reservoir in Hampshire.
In an interview with The i Paper, she warned: “The alternative is, you know, carry on as we have in the last 14 years. Do nothing. Let nothing happen. No reservoirs are being built.
Last summer, persistent drought in Sicily meant the water supply was turned on only once a week and residents were told not to wash their clothes and flush the toilet infrequently.
“This isn’t costing the Government, it’s not costing Rachel money,” Hardy said. “This is private investment going into our water industry – and much, much needed.”
Water minister Emma Hardy said years of underinvestment have left the country at risk of seasonal shortages (Photo: UK Parliament)
Hardy said: “The message we want to send is that we’re serious about cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas, and we’re serious about enforcement.
“So this is all about delivering on the promises that we made in Government, and this is saying that this is a Government that takes this issue really seriously.”
And the minister also suggested that action on pollution could prove a key part of Labour’s strategy to defeat Reform, saying: “Nigel Farage claims to be patriotic.
“That shows the total disregard Farage has for the beautiful rivers across England’s green and pleasant land.
“Last week, we announced a record 81 criminal investigations have been launched into water companies.
“The era of profiting from failure is over. The Labour Government is cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”
She said: “We know that nationalisation, if we were to go down that path, would cost us billions of pounds, and we want to focus on delivering for your readers and for the country.
“And that comes down to enforcement, enforcement and investment, and they’re the two things that we need, and I’m not going to be diverted off that.”
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