‘Appalling’: charities warn of UK government betrayal over river clean-up fund | Environment

Charities Slammed as Government Eyes Water Fines Fund

Charities and environmental groups have voiced their outrage after learning that the Treasury is considering siphoning millions of pounds from a fund meant to restore England’s polluted rivers. The £11 million fund, made up of water company fines for sewage pollution, was supposed to help charities and local initiatives mend the damage caused by water companies. However, a revelation on Sunday suggested that the Labour government might divert this money to Treasury coffers instead.

Kathryn Soares, CEO of the Nene Rivers Trust, expressed her dismay, saying, "This is a deeply appalling decision for a Labour government, especially given their promises. I’m genuinely worried about where this might lead." Her trust, along with others including veterans’ organizations, has been left waiting for grants for over eight months, with many feeling ‘fobbed off’ by the new Labour administration.

Soares isn’t alone in her concern. Luke Bryant, assistant director of West Cumbria Rivers Trust, fears that if the Treasury takes the money, it will go against the "polluter pays" principle, which is meant to ensure that water companies finance their own environmental damage. Gilly Norton, CEO of Supporting Wounded Veterans, fears that two veterans’ projects, including one focused on PTSD, will now remain on hold.

The potential redirection of funds comes as water companies in England face record fines for illegal sewage dumping. Thames, Yorkshire, and Northumbrian Water alone are set to be fined a collective £168 million, with more fines expected as sewage discharge levels continue to soar.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link – a coalition of environmental groups – warns that the government must respect the "polluter pays" principle and guarantee future fines go to environmental restoration. Stuart Singleton-White, head of campaigns at the Angling Trust, agrees, stating that allowing the Treasury to take the money would gravely damage the government’s credibility on its pledge to clean up rivers and seas.

In a joint statement, the Treasury and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) assured that they were "continuing to work on how water company fines and penalties can be reinvested on water environment improvement." However, they refused to comment on whether future fines would be earmarked for environmental restoration in the affected areas.

With the government’s response still unclear, charities and environmental groups await a decision that could significantly impact England’s water quality and ecosystems.