Reacting to Environment Agency figures showing water companies increasing sewage discharges into rivers, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said:  "Water companies continue to be allowed to dump ever more sewage into our rivers, waterways and coastal waters while splashing funds at shareholder dividends and fat cat salaries for water bosses.

  “The £57bn in payouts from the water industry over the last 30 years should have gone towards improving standards.    "Greens would end this failed experiment in privatisation, bringing the water companies back into public control so we can clean up this industry."