Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Household Water Bills

Thursday 4 September 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Baggy Shanker questioned the Secretary of State about protecting constituents from water bill increases and supported efforts to block unfair bonuses for water company executives.
  • Dave Doogan inquired about pollution levels and water bills comparing publicly owned Scottish Water to privately owned English water companies, suggesting Scottish Water has better performance.
  • Dr Neil Hudson asked the Government to reconsider their approach to water company regulation to ensure financial stability and protect the environment and taxpayers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Energy Environment
Context

In Derby, proposed water bills are set to increase by about 50% over the next five years. At the same time, shareholder dividends have increased despite continued pollution of waterways.

Question

What assurances can the Secretary of State give my constituents that our Government will tackle such hypocrisy head on and, crucially, protect our residents from the water bill increases?

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

My hon. Friend is right to advocate so strongly for his constituents in Derby at a time when they are experiencing the cost of living crisis, as others are. I thank him for his support in blocking the unfair, multimillion-pound bonuses that were previously paid to water bosses. By ensuring that customers’ money is spent on upgrading the water system, rather than allowing it to be diverted to bonuses and dividends, he is helping to ensure that the bill hikes that resulted from Tory failure will never happen again.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances about protecting residents from water bill increases were not provided

How: Talking About Blocking Bonuses, Referring To Tory Failures

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Q2 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Scotland Environment
Context

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs argued on 'Channel 4 News' that pollution levels are worse in Scotland than they are in England.

Question

Will he clarify that pollution levels under publicly owned Scottish Water are substantially better than those under privately owned English water companies? Will he recognise that Scottish bill payers pay lower bills and that Scottish Water’s borrowing is sustainable and consistent with the value and quality of Scotland’s water?

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

The hon. Gentleman is showing why the problem persists—if the SNP does not recognise the problem, there is no way that it can fix it. I have published the data and I stand by it: pollution under the SNP in Scotland is even worse than it was under the Tories in England. He should be thoroughly ashamed of what he is doing to the beautiful countryside of the country that he represents.

Not addressed: Clarification on pollution levels and recognition of Scottish Water's sustainability

How: Attacking Snp, Referring To Data

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Q3 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Energy Environment
Context

Thames Water is facing financial difficulties, potentially impacting millions of people and the wider UK taxpayer. The Labour Government blocked an amendment that would have limited borrowing by water companies.

Question

Will the Government rethink their approach and adopt sensible measures to put water companies on a more stable and secure financial footing to protect water, the environment and the British taxpayer?

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

The reason that Thames is in the state that it is in is the weak, so-called “light-touch” regulation that the Conservatives imposed on the water companies when they should have been getting a grip. The point beyond that that the hon. Gentleman makes is a sensible one, however, and our reforms to water regulation and indeed to the regulator are intended to ensure that such problems cannot happen again. In the case of Thames, we are of course keeping a very close eye on what is going on with that company. At the moment, it remains viable, but we are ready for all eventualities, should they occur.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Adoption of sensible measures for financial stability

How: Attacking Weak Regulation, Referring To Reforms

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