Blackpool South MP Scott Benton has met up with the Environment Minister to discuss United Utilities recent raw sewage discharges which has severely affected the Fylde Coast beaches.

Defending the Conservative action over the past thirteen years, Benton says that 92.9% of our bathing waters are good or excellent now compared to 75% under the last Labour government. He additionally claims that Labour’s plan to eliminate these overnight would have added thousands of pounds to yearly water bills.

MP Benton says that he has been in regular touch with the Environment Agency and has also spoken the Secretary of State.

MP Benton said, ‘What has happened is completely unacceptable but be aware of those offering simplistic solutions. 92.9% of our bathing waters are good or excellent now compared to 75% under the last Labour government and this government is the first in history to bring in new legislation to tackle sewage overflows.

I’m also the only Blackpool South MP ever to have voted for measures to improve the quality of our bathing waters and tackle sewage overflows.

We’ve a lot more to do to ensure that incidents such as this don’t happen again – sadly we are dealing with Victorian infrastructure which requires tens of billions of pounds worth of investment to prevent sewage overflows – Labour’s plan to eliminate these overnight would have added thousands of pounds to your yearly water bill and the notion that there is a quick overnight fix is sadly not the case.’