MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, Jim McMahon, says new government law will help clean up the borough’s rivers and bring down water bills for the long term.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill introduced to Parliament is now going through the legislative process in the House of Lords.

If passed, it aims to alter regulation, governance, and special administration of water companies by giving regulators powers to issue harsher penalties to water companies that damage the environment, including severe and automatic fines, blocked bonuses and even two-year prison sentences for uncooperative executives.

Water bills have continued to rise, with United Utilities putting the average water bill up by around eight per cent in Oldham from the previous year to a level which is above the national average, according to Mr McMahon.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

He added the changes made will allow the regulators to properly hold water companies to account.

Mr McMahon, who served as the Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 2021 and 2023, said: "We pledged in our manifesto to make sure water companies clean up our rivers.

"I also prioritised fighting for decent homes for local people. I believe the government’s Water Bill is where these intersect.

"Having a house is a necessary condition to make a decent home, however it is not sufficient, there is more to it, such as having clean and accessible water, rivers and green spaces for all.

"It requires the confidence to know our drinking water is up to standard and to know local waterways near where we regularly spend quality time with family and friends are unpolluted."

READ MORE: Drivers warned as key Oldham road closes for 12 nights

Some people, including Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, have said the bill should be altered so water bosses could not be held liable for pollution that was not their fault.

Mr McMahon added: "Ensuring water is clean and the infrastructure involved is fit for the future is just one way we are improving the quality of life and easing cost-of living pressures for local people.

"We are also building more houses, raising the minimum wage, abolishing no-fault evictions for renters, and making business rates fairer for high street retailers.

"Labour understands working people are ambitious for their families and communities and want a future to believe in, cleaning our rivers and bringing down water bills will go a long way to achieving that."