Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed confirmation that fines levied on water companies will continue to be ring-fenced for vital water restoration projects.
It was confirmed in response to a recent written question that Stuart tabled in Parliament on 9th July 2025. In response to Stuart's question, Water Minister Emma Hardy MP confirmed that:
"Over £100 million in fines and penalties levied against water companies since October 2023, as well as future fines and penalties, will be reinvested into projects to clean up our waters, which could include local environmental programmes to address pollution and improve water quality."
The Minister also confirmed that further details on the projects and programmes that this funding will go towards will be set out later in the year, though she did not specify exactly when this will happen.
Additionally, the Minister confirmed an initial £11 million has been allocated, with successful applicants in affected regions notified.
The last government set up the £11 million Water Restoration Fund to help local groups improve the quality of water environments.
It was launched in April 2024, after the last government legislated to introduce unlimited penalties on water companies that breach environmental permits and expanded the range of offences to which penalties could be applied.
The Fund offered grant funding to accelerate or support projects that improve biodiversity and widen community access to blue and green spaces where water companies have been issued with fines or penalties.
Stuart requested clarification on the future of the fund in September 2024, after it emerged that water company fines had gone to HM Treasury rather than the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Stuart renewed his campaign in January 2025, following reports that the money could be used for "unrelated purposes." Stuart said that the reports were "shocking" and would dilute the ‘polluter-pays’ principle.
Under the principle, polluters pay for the damage they cause to the environment. Stuart welcomed that the confirmation as part of his plan to protect the countryside and natural environment.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"The Water Restoration Fund was a significant investment from the last government. It gave real meaning to the polluter-pays principle, meaning water companies must pay for the environmental damage that they cause. After months of campaigning, I am pleased to have secured confirmation from government that fines levied on water companies will continue to be ring-fenced for local water restoration projects. Ministers must now proceed with the allocation of funding to local groups as soon as possible."
