Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Water Company Executives: Accountability

Thursday 6 February 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Water (Special Measures) Bill creates new powers for the regulator to ban unjustified bonuses for water bosses who fail to meet environmental standards.
  • The Minister is willing to arrange a meeting between the Minister for water, Emma Hardy, and Patrick Spencer to address concerns about a water moratorium affecting commercial businesses.
  • Compensation for poor service by water companies is being doubled.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Darren Paffey Lab Southampton Itchen
Energy Environment
Context

The question arises from concerns about the accountability and compensation practices within water companies, particularly Southern Water's proposed bill increase.

Question

What steps he is taking to increase the accountability of water company executives for service failures. Many constituents are outraged at a 53% bill increase proposed by Southern Water while it continues to pollute rivers. This has become a national scandal. As part of the independent water review, will he ensure that companies deliver reliable services rather than lining executives' pockets?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)

The Water (Special Measures) Bill creates new powers for the regulator, including banning unjustified bonuses for water bosses who fail to meet environmental standards and ensuring imprisonment is a sentencing option where regulators are obstructed. Compensation for poor service is being doubled to hold companies accountable for failures. Bills are rising due to previous government inaction on crumbling infrastructure and mismanagement.

Answered
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Q2 Patrick Spencer Con Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
Economy Environment
Context

Essex and Suffolk Water has imposed a moratorium on water extraction from the ground due to Environment Agency regulations. This affects Aspall cidery in Patrick Spencer's constituency, which is ready to invest £10 million but cannot do so without access to water.

Question

Essex and Suffolk Water has issued a moratorium on commercial businesses pulling water out of the ground, affecting Aspall cidery in my constituency with £10 million investment plans. If this Government are serious about growth, will he meet me to find a solution?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)

The Minister is willing to ask the Minister for water, Emma Hardy, to meet the hon. Gentleman to address his concerns about the moratorium on commercial businesses pulling water out of the ground.

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