the government says the amount of sewage in our rivers is unacceptable, and the government has a bill in parliament to address the problem, which they say will deliver progressive reductions in the harm caused by storm overflows. the trouble is, 22 conservative mps say it doesn't go far enough. they want the government to back this amendment. it puts a legal duty on water companies to take all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged. for the last few days, anger has been mounting at the government's position. they've been protesting on the streets in margate in kent, and they have taken to the beaches in nearby whitstable. what everyone agrees on is that britain's victorian water system needs rescuing, but it will cost billions and billions to do so. zoe conway, bbc news. the time is 1:16pm. our top story this lunchtime: