I've been getting a lot of questions on the Environment Bill.

As a countryside lover and someone who spent much of their childhood living on a farm, I have always been a very vocal champion of the environment. Here are the 5 key facts on why I support the Bill:

1) Discharges can only be stopped by new infrastructure. The Bill I supported allows the mandate to accelerate this with an urgent action plan. It means the Government must produce an action plan with dates to reduce discharge and the detail of what is needed to eliminate discharges from storm overflows in England, and the costs and benefits of those actions.The deadline for this is no later than 9/22.

2) Water Companies and The Environment Agency also have new orders including to monitor and publish data on storm overflow and water quality - in real time. They must also show how they will manage and develop their drainage + sewerage over 25 years including stopping storm overflows.

3) The Bill also gives Government the power to direct water companies in relation to these Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans. This is an important new power.

4) The Government rejected part of an amendment from the House of Lords which would have left the public entirely exposed to the cost for these works. Figures from recent work done in London added £19 to household water bills per annum. However, we need to know what the cost will be for people in Mid Norfolk, and who will pay - Government or households. Water companies must now deliver.

5) It’s only through massive infrastructure investment that we will stop the discharges. Work to get that plan and investment is underway with a clear deadline.

To learn more about the Government’s work on this, please see the video below: