Steve Barclay, who recently assumed the role in a cabinet reshuffle, is responsible for overseeing the regulation of water companies and ensuring they make improvements to address sewage pollution as part of the government’s storm overflow reduction plan.
Karen Barclay, his wife, holds a key position at Anglian Water, serving as the Head of Major Infrastructure (DCO) Planning and Stakeholder Engagement. However, this has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, as Anglian Water is one of six companies currently under investigation by the regulator Ofwat for potential illegal dumping of raw sewage. Additionally, the Environment Agency is conducting a substantial criminal investigation into illegal sewage dumping by water companies, which involves over 2,000 water treatment works.Water companies are actively seeking government and Ofwat approval for a £96 billion investment in infrastructure improvements to address leaks, sewage discharges, and expand treatment plant capacity. They intend to pass these costs on to customers through bill increases, which has faced criticism from those who argue that the public has already paid for these improvements and should not bear the financial burden again.Tim Farron, the rural spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, expressed concern about the potential conflict of interest, emphasizing the need for the Environment Secretary to be fully committed to addressing the sewage scandal. He acknowledged that ministers’ spouses have the right to their own careers but highlighted the importance of ensuring regulatory oversight without any conflicts.Ashley Smith, of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, echoed these concerns and pointed out the broader issue of the water industry’s regulatory compliance and financial practices. Smith emphasized that public trust in the water industry has eroded due to its alleged misappropriation of funds and disregard for legal duties, making it imperative for the new Environment Secretary to navigate this issue transparently.