Charities Sound Alarm Over UK Government’s Betrayal in River Clean-Up Funding: A Call to Action!

Charities that applied for funding to restore England’s polluted rivers are concerned about potential changes to how fines collected from water companies will be used. Many believe that diverting this money to the Treasury would betray public trust.

Kathryn Soares, the chief executive of the Nene Rivers Trust, expressed deep disappointment with the Labour government’s possible decision. Her charity has been waiting over eight months for grants from an £11 million fund created from fines against polluting water companies. Reports suggest that Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to redirect these funds to the Treasury.

Since Labour took office in July, several organizations, including those that support veterans, have struggled to get clear answers about their funding applications. Soares feels it would be a serious mistake for the government to take this money, which was meant to benefit the environment. She said it’s heartbreaking for small charities like hers to have promises seemingly broken.

The fund was initially set up by the Conservative government to ensure that the water companies responsible for pollution contribute to fixing the damage they’ve caused. Many charities applied for money to restore rivers, and the response was overwhelming, showing just how crucial this funding is for local projects.

Luke Bryant from the West Cumbria Rivers Trust highlighted that preparing funding bids costs significant resources for small organizations. He noted that the money involved was not taxpayer money, but rather fines meant for environmental restoration. If these funds are not used locally, it would mislead the public about their intended purpose.

Gilly Norton, who leads Supporting Wounded Veterans, is waiting on two project bids that total £250,000. One project would involve veterans with PTSD working on a restoration initiative for the River Dart in Devon. With the project’s start currently on hold, she voiced her frustration about the government’s potential decision to redirect the funds.

Concerns are growing that if the Treasury takes the £11 million now, future fines—expected to be significant due to illegal sewage dumping—might also be absorbed into the Treasury. Current fines from Thames, Yorkshire, and Northumbrian Water total £168 million for such violations.

Richard Benwell from Wildlife and Countryside Link stressed the importance of the “polluter pays” principle and called for future fines to be allocated directly to environmental projects. Martha Meek, director of the River Waveney Trust, echoed this sentiment, urging that funds should be used specifically for the water catchments impacted.

Stuart Singleton-White from the Angling Trust warned that allowing the Treasury to seize the funds would undermine the government’s credibility. He reminded them of their commitment to clean up rivers and hold polluters accountable.

The Treasury and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated they are considering how fines can be reinvested for environmental improvements, though they did not clarify whether future fines would be dedicated solely to areas affected by pollution.

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