Water company fines in England to be used for environmental improvements

Minister confirms pollution penalties will be ringfenced for environment rather than going to Treasury

Water company fines for pollution are to be used to pay for environmental improvements in England rather than given to the Treasury, the government has said.

Since 2015, the Environment Agency has concluded 56 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies, securing fines of more than 141m. Most of these were from one company, Southern Water, which received a record penalty of 90m last year.