Lib Dem peers call for compensation for sewage sickness victims

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

• Liberal Democrats in the Lords will call for swimmers to be compensated for sewage sickness. 
• The House of Lords will be debating a motion on the state of pollution in rivers and the case for regulation of private water companies, which has been tabled by Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville. 

In today’s Liberal Democrat Debate Day in the House of Lords, the party will call for a compensation scheme to be introduced for swimmers and pet owners for those that have been sick after swimming in dirty water. 

The calls by the Liberal Democrats come as a report by Surfers Against Sewage, which found that the number of people who fell ill after entering water between October 2022 and September 2023, was 1,924 water users. This is three times the number reported in the previous year. 

Commenting, Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville said:

“I am alarmed that we continue to see raw sewage flowing into our rivers, all while pets and children continue to get ill. 

“If someone gets sick because of sewage, they should be compensated.

"The Liberal Democrats have exposed the sewage scandal and will continue to stand up for the victims of sewage and pollution, which is why we continue to call for a compensation scheme to be introduced for those who have fallen sick."

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The report from Surfers Against Sewage can be found here