Image description: scenic view of Quiraing Mountains in Scotland. Photo by Petra Nesti / Pexels
Steve Reed’s comments “risked misleading the public”
The UK Statistics Authority concluded that comments made by Housing Secretary Steve Reed, during his tenure as Environment Secretary, ran the risk of misleading the public about Scottish Water’s environmental performance during a recent House of Commons debate. Reed had asserted that Scottish Water was responsible for more sewage pollution than any English water company – a statement now formally challenged by the Authority and Scottish MPs.
The Authority found that Reed’s comments “risked misleading the public” due to fundamental differences in how environmental data is collected and reported across the UK. Scottish Water is regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), while English companies are overseen by the Environment Agency and Ofwat, making direct comparisons problematic.
The issue was raised by SNP MP Deidre Brock, who submitted a formal complaint. In response, the Authority’s Chair Sir Robert Chote confirmed that the statistics cited by Reed did not support his claims. Sir Chote stated that “the statistics do not support the comparison made,” and urged ministers to use official data responsibly.
Further clarification came in a separate letter from Professor Dame Carol Propper, Chair of the Office for Statistics Regulation, to MP Seamus Logan. In the letter Dame Propper reiterated that “the data sources used to make comparisons between Scotland and England are not directly comparable,” and that such statements risk undermining public trust in official statistics.
The Independent reported that SNP MP Kirsty Blackman accused the UK Government of “deliberately undermining confidence in Scottish Water,” which is publicly owned and operates under different environmental obligations than private firms in England.
The controversy has reportedly also risked reigniting political tensions between Westminster and Holyrood, with Scottish ministers calling for an apology and greater respect for devolved governance.