Exactly how MPs voted on dumping sewage into UK seas and rivers – fact-checked

A row on Twitter has reignited over the dumping of raw sewage into England's rivers and sea.

Thousands of people were angry after heavy rains last week led to dozens of popular coastal sites where sewage was pumped into their waters.

The stench grew as people reshared details of a Commons vote on the issue from October 2021. Many shared Twitter posts shaming their local MP, saying they "have voted to allow the dumping of raw sewage into our rivers".

It was also reported that a quarter of sewage overflow sites were not monitored.

But the government insists it is 'dishonest and false' to suggest MPs supported the dumping of human waste in our rivers. Tory Graham Stuart tweeted: "Tory MPs acted to reduce sewage discharges into rivers - not increase them.

Discharge of waste water into a river. Tory MPs say there are good reasons why they opposed the amendment

“Social media has enabled anti-conservative groups to suggest the exact opposite of the truth.”

So what's the truth? Basically, it's complicated. The argument was whether Tory MPs went far enough when they passed legislation to tighten the law last year. The argument was not whether the deputies had acted, which is how some people interpreted it online.

We take a look at exactly what the vote was and why there is such a row. Plus, find out how your MP voted on a controversial amendment in our interactive widget below.

What is the solution?

Human waste can be pumped from sewers to rivers or the sea through overflow valves called "combined sewer overflows".

Sewage leaves these sluices during heavy rains - to prevent filthy effluent from flowing back into people's homes.

But raw sewage was discharged this way more than 400,000 times in England in 2020. Campaigners say that's far too much.

This problem erupted in September 2021, when the government let companies throw away more waste than usual due to a shortage of treatment chemicals. It erupted again in August 2022 during heavy rain after the drought, resulting in numerous spills.