21 June 2024 , 21:30
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More than 10,000 people have been hospitalised with waterborne diseases since the last election as the Tories' "sickening" record came under attack.
Alarming figures show the number of people diagnosed in hospital with diseases that can be transmitted through water - such as typhoid, salmonella and E.coli - has almost doubled in the past two years. Some 603 cases of typhoid fever were recorded last year, which is more than double the year before.
Both Labour and the Lib Dems last night(FRI) vowed tougher action as they accused ministers of catastrophic failure. Labour has vowed to put failing water companies into “special measures” - with bosses at risk of criminal charges and bonuses being blocked.
Environment Agency data found last year was the worst for sewage spills since records began. Sewage was discharged for a record 4million hours across England in 2023.
Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed, said: “It is sickening that the Conservative Sewage scandal has put over ten thousand people in hospital. They just folded their arms and looked the other way while water companies pumped a tidal wave of raw sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas putting the nation’s health at risk. It is time for change.
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"The next Labour government will put the water companies under special measures and strengthen regulation to force them to clean up their act.”
Meanwhile the Lib Dems vowed to award rivers and lakes Blue Flag status to protect them from sewage dumping. Leader Ed Davey said: “Water firms are destroying our precious rivers and chalk streams all whilst making massive profits.
"Conservative ministers have let these water firms get away with it for too long, while their toothless schemes have failed to protect swimmers and wildlife."
Campaigner Feargal Sharkey, who has crusaded to clean up Britain's rivers, said: “Under the Tories, we are witnessing an unprecedented attack on our environment, with record levels of sewage dumping into our rivers. After years of inaction, it’s time for change with a Labour government. That is why I am backing Labour’s plans to put the water companies under special measures.”