Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he is 'sorry' to residents for sewage discharge at beaches and rivers across East Devon.

Mr Sunak was in Honiton on Wednesday (May 29), The Herald asked him what his party would do to tackle 'illegal' sewage discharges at beaches in East Devon. 

He also said he was sorry for the difficult time that people in Brixham have experienced because of a bacterial outbreak in the water supply and would be holding South West Water to account.

Figures published by the Environment Agency in March showed that South West Water spilled sewage into the sea for 530,737 hours this year.

Read more: Sewage spills from storm overflows in the South West in 2023

Mr Sunak said the level of discharge into seas and rivers had been unacceptable but 100 per cent of storm overflows are now monitored.

“Record amounts of investment are being spent on upgrading water treatment facilities, including a £30 million upgrade that South West Water are putting in thanks to East Devon MP Simon Jupp’s campaigning in Sidmouth,” he said.

“We are being incredibly tough on enforcement, giving the regulator the power to levy unlimited fines and penalties on water companies who not fulfilling their obligations and that also applies to things like bonus and dividend payments.

“I know it’s been a difficult time in Brixham for everyone and I am sorry about that.

“Where water companies fail in their obligations they will be held to account and that is what will happen in this case and what we are doing now is getting support to the people who need it.”

On Wednesday on a quick stop to a high-tech business near Honiton, supporting Conservative candidate Simon Jupp in the new constituency of Honiton and Sidmouth, Mr Sunak claimed to be ignoring opinion polls that point to a Labour victory in the general election and is “changing minds with his bold ideas”.

On a day trip to Devon and Cornwall, Mr Sunak told reporters that his plans for a new national service and 100,000 new apprenticeships, as well as tax cuts taxes for working people and the elderly  “will transform the country and deliver a secure future for everyone”.

South West Water said: “We care about our 860m of coastline, our regions 100% bathing water quality, which we have successfully maintained for 3 consecutive years and protecting the environment now and in the future.

“We were one of the first water companies to have all our storm overflows monitored meaning we know exactly what is happening, when and where, allowing us to target investment and make changes where it matters most.

“We are serious about tackling storm overflows and change of this scale takes time, ambition, and increased investment – and that is why we are investing £850m in our region over 2 years.

“The increase in the storm overflow spills this year can be accounted for by the amount of named storms and weather warnings in 2023. It’s clear we need to redesign our systems, which we are already doing.

“We will also be the first water company to meet the Government target of less than 10 spills per overflow, per year – a decade ahead of target.”