INSIGHT - Sewage sickness compensation scheme
The Bexhill and Battle Conservative MP Huw Merriman voted against, and Hastings and Rye Conservative MP, Sally Ann Hart, did not support - the sewage sickness compensation scheme, that had been proposed by Liberal Democrats in Parliament on Monday 4th December 2023.
Bexhill and Battle Liberal Democrats, have criticised our constituency representative, MP Huw Merriman for voting against the compensation scheme for swimmers who have been infected and made ill by raw sewage.
The scheme, proposed as an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, was tabled by Liberal Democrat Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland, and Lonsdale.
It would have enabled anyone, injured, or has an illness as a result of illegal sewage dumping, claim compensation from the Water Company responsible.
However, the amendment was voted down in the Commons this week by MPs, including Huw Merriman who along with 264 Conservatives voted against it. 27 MPs voted for the amendment including Liberal Democrats, DUP, Green and Independents, with Labour MPs abstaining!
It comes despite a recent report which found a staggering 1,924 cases of people getting sick due to suspected sewage pollution over the last year, nearly triple the number of cases reported the previous year.
Bill Goddard, ‘Bexhill and Battle Liberal Democrat’ Spokesperson said:
“It’s shameful that Huw Merriman, who before he became a Minister, did speak out against sewage dumping, now has to toe this Conservative government’s line, which is to put water companies’ profits before people’s health.
“It is a complete slap in the face to all those in Bexhill and Battle who expect their MP to stand up and fight for them, instead of supporting massive companies who have illegally dumped filthy sewage into our rivers, lakes and especially here, directly into the sea.”
“It is a sad state of affairs when swimmers are falling seriously sick from sewage while water company bosses receive millions in bonuses”.
“The Liberal Democrats have exposed the sewage scandal and will continue to hold these polluting firms to account even if Huw Merriman refuses to."
Further Information: -
The record of the votes can be found here.
Liberal Democrat DEFRA Spokesperson and MP Tim Farron’s amendment is below:
New Clause 10
To move the following Clause—
“Sewage Illness Victim Compensation Scheme
(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations provide for a compensation scheme for victims who have suffered harm as a direct result of criminal conduct in relation to sewage and wastewater.
(2) Regulations under subsection (1) must— (a) provide for the payment of compensation to people who have become unwell as a result of bathing in water contaminated by sewage, (b) make provision in relation to the medical evidence required to support a claim for compensation under the regulations.
(3) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.”
Clause 28
Clause 1, page 1, line 16, at end insert—
“(e) where the person has suffered harm as a direct result of criminal conduct in relation to sewage and wastewater”.
Stephen Hardy MBE.
Chair, Bexhill and Battle Liberal Democrats
on 07831494028
or stephenhardy1948@gmail.com
