UK government U-turns on sewage after Tory MPs threaten rebellion
The government has announced a partial U-turn over the sewage amendment after Tory rebels threatened to scupper an upcoming vote in the Commons.
Under new rules, there will be a duty on water companies to reduce the impact of sewage discharges from storm overflows. This means the organisations will be required by law to show a reduction in sewage overspills over the next five years.
Last week, 22 Conservative MPs rebelled against the government to vote in favour of an amendment to the environment bill that would have placed a legal duty on water companies not to pump waste into rivers.
The amendment was rejected in the Commons, and the negative reaction of constituents took some Tory MPs by surprise.
Philip Dunne, one of the Conservative rebels
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