Watchdog failing to audit water companies - Lib Dems call for inquiry

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to reports that say that 36% of Environment Agency audits of water companies were not carried out or their records are missing, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson, Tim Farron MP said: 

"It is utterly unacceptable that the very watchdog in charge of protecting our rivers and beaches from filthy sewage is missing in action when it comes to doing that very job.

"For the agency to claim that they take a "light touch" to auditing water companies is beggars belief. How on earth can we expect the regulator to protect our countryside from vile pollution if they refuse to investigate the scale of the problem properly.

"The Conservative government has just rolled over and let the water companies walk all over them. 

"The Environment Secretary needs to order an immediate inquiry into any missing audits and carry them out immediately. The days of light touch regulation must come to an end."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Guardian report into the lack of Environment Agency audits of water companies can be found here.