“Together with the rest of the environmental community, we have long been calling for the money from any fines relating to environmental harm to be spent on restoring that same environment. Today’s announcement that more than £100m of water company fines collected since October 2023 will be used to support environmental projects is therefore very welcome.

“We eagerly await the detail that the government has promised on how exactly the money will reach those who need it most and deliver the best environmental improvements on the ground. We also want confirmation that all future fines and penalties will be ringfenced for environmental projects, including fines levied against polluters from other industries, to restore the damage done to the environment. Polluters should be paying a contribution to the costs of fixing our rivers, rather than their fines disappearing into the Treasury, never to be seen again.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive

Notes to editor

Government to invest over £100m in water company fines to local environmental projects

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Duncan

Media & Events Lead, The Rivers Trust

[email protected]