Sewage-spilling water companies will no longer be able to justify high chief executive pay by getting “top marks” in the Environment Agency’s rankings, under plans to tighten rules.

Samples taken by the Save Windermere campaign last month at Ambleside showed cyanobacteria concentrations above WHO guidance for recreational use of the lake

A 100-metre-wide algal bloom left an area of Windermere unfit for bathing, tests have revealed, as campaigners blamed United Utilities for continually dumping sewage.

All 11 water and wastewater companies in England and Wales are now under scrutiny over sewage spills, after the regulator said it was expanding its investigation.

A council has been asked to investigate sewage discharges into Windermere, with campaigners claiming it constitutes a "nuisance" under environmental laws.

Save Windermere filed a complaint against United Utilities to Westmorland and Furness Council, alleging dozens of sewage discharges had caused a "statutory nuisance".

A water company has created a potentially hazardous “statutory nuisance” by releasing millions of litres of raw sewage into England’s largest lake, campaigners have alleged in a legal first.

More than 10,000 people have been hospitalised with waterborne diseases since the last election as the Tories' "sickening" record came under attack.

Steve Coogan and Lee Mack are among the celebrities to return to a march against sewage dumping in Windermere.

The Environment Agency has confirmed there is a blue green algal bloom, which can cause sickness, in Windermere.

Open letter signed by naturalist Chris Packham and comedian Paul Whitehouse says pollution is degrading lake. The next government must give Windermere greater protection from sewage pollution, campaigners including the naturalist Chris Packham and the comedian Paul Whitehouse have urged in an open letter to all party leaders.

A special beer has been created to raise money for a campaign protesting sewage pollution in Windermere. Lakes Brew Co has brewed an 'easy drinking, perfectly hopped light beer' and pledged to donate 10p from every can of Leave No Trace to the Save Windermere campaign.

This is an opinion piece from Sir Keir Starmer Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party.