Tories accused of ‘hollow’ promises on sewage as damage to Britain’s beaches revealed

Sewage dumped on even cleanest beaches 1,500 times last year – as environment secretary sets out clean water plan

Rishi Sunak’s government is setting out a new clean water plan with a promise of stronger regulation and tougher enforcement for those who pollute rivers, lakes and beaches.

But Tory ministers were accused of “taking the public for fools” by offering only “hollow” promises to tackle Britain’s growing sewage scandal.

Environment secretary Therese Coffey – who has said companies could face unlimited penalties for dumping raw sewage – said over £1.6bn of investment to boost water quality would be brought forward.