A ST HELENS MP has criticised the Government's renewed policy for treating sewage across the country, calling it a "shameful act" that does not go far enough to meet the issues.

After the controversy surrounding the Environmental Bill, which would have allowed water companies dumping raw sewage into our rivers and seas, the Bill returned to the Commons last week to reconsider several key issues within the policy.

Voting to enforce firmer measures on private water companies, Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North, said that the Government's fresh proposals still "do not go far enough".

The Government's new amendment - perceived as a compromise to quell criticism - is said to place a legal duty on water firms to progressively reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows.

Mr McGinn and Labour, however, wanted a more robust policy which would force water companies to do more to prevent sewage discharges, claiming it could let polluters "off the hook".

This sentiment is shared by frontline campaigners such as Feargal Sharkey – the internationally acclaimed musician who Mr McGinn has fought with on the issue of cleaner waterways.

The online tool recently published by the Rivers Trust, has mapped the places across the country where the sewerage network discharges and overflows into rivers, bringing into sharp focus where places within St Helens are impacted.

Mr McGinn raised this issue with the Government Minister responsible for the environment, Rebecca Pow MP, on her to visit St Helens to look at local river’s flood defences earlier this year.

Commenting on the renewed proposals, Conor McGinn MP said: “It is disappointing that the Government has voted down tough measures that would have stopped water companies from dumping raw sewage into our local waters.

“The weak, ineffective and totally watered-down alternatives will – unacceptably – see the biggest polluters completely let off the hook.

“It’s a disgraceful situation, and a shameful act that damages people’s health, wellbeing and our environment in St Helens North. I’ll keep pushing hard alongside leading campaigners like Feargal to fight this.”