Overview

• Defra confirmed 51 river, lake and coastal schemes have been awarded funding to improve water quality, biodiversity and flood resilience.
• Funds were ring‑fenced from penalties for incidents between April 2022 and October 2023 and were distributed by the Rural Payments Agency.
• Defra listed contributions of £3,334,000 from Thames Water, £3,085,000 from Anglian Water, £2,150,000 from South West Water, £1,600,750 from Yorkshire Water and £800,000 from United Utilities.
• Examples include a £1.2 million floodplain and river restoration on the River Witham, work on Windermere septic tank pollution, restoration in Exmoor, projects on the River Wandle in London and habitat improvements on the Teign and Taw.
• Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds framed the move as part of a wider reset of the water industry, while campaign group River Action argued the funding is too small and called for much larger penalties and systemic reform.