Nutrient Neutrality: Lib Dems to vote against removing water pollution rules 

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Today in the House of Lords, the Liberal Democrats are voting against the Secretary of Housing Michael Gove’s plan to remove EU anti-water pollution laws- so called ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules in order to build more houses. This in turn could lead to more pollution in our already filthy rivers. 

In today’s vote, Liberal Democrats are calling for housebuilders to continue to prove that new homes will not contaminate rivers, alongside proper guidance for housebuilders and local authorities so new homes can be built while improving river health.  

This amendment to scrap nutrient neutrality laws comes after the Conservative government has repeatedly committed themselves to environmental sustainability, with Rishi Sunak himself saying "only one party will protect the environment, and that is the Conservative party".

Ahead of the vote this evening, the Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Communities and Local Government Baroness Pinnock said: 

“The Government’s plans to remove pollution rules is an outright disregard for British water quality, and the Liberal Democrats are fighting against them by voting to maintain water quality standards.

“A vote for Gove’s plan is a vote against clean rivers, we must stop the Conservative government from continuing to allow our rivers to be overrun with pollution. We must - and will - hold the Government to account.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Rishi Sunak’s quote can be found here

The amendment can be found here