Business, Eco & Environment, Political | Posted on October 9th, 2024 | return to news
Dorset MP Vikki Slade calls for ban on water bosses’ bonuses
The Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has demanded a ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water following the latest Ofwat report.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade, has called for an immediate ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water following the latest report from the water regulator. Ofwat announced this week that the company would have to pay back £5.3 million due to poor performance.
Slade said that the steps by the regulator announced on 8 October needed to be a “watershed” moment for Wessex Water and that it was “high time” action was taken on polluting firms. The Liberal Democrats have previously revealed that there were 466 sewage spills in Mid Dorset & North Poole last year, based on the most recent data available and using the old constituency boundaries.
She said: “For too long the Conservatives allowed water companies to ride roughshod over people here in Mid Dorset & North Poole, pumping their filthy sewage into our waterways all the while the bosses took home massive bonuses.
“That must end. No longer should these people be personally rewarded for failing to protect our local environment all whilst hiking bills on people in our area.”
Currently, a new Water Bill from the Labour government is set to be debated in Parliament. The Liberal Democrats have criticised the bill and plan to table an amendment that would enforce an immediate ban on water company bosses’ bonuses.
Slade added: “Disappointingly, the new government’s bill is only a half-measure and nowhere near tough enough on these polluting firms.
“That is why I am proud to support the Liberal Democrats amendment to the bill, which would ban water company bosses’ bonuses until leaks are fixed and sewage spills end. Only then will we start to get a fair deal for people here in Mid Dorset & North Poole.”
In total, Ofwat ordered UK water companies to return £158m to customers via lower bills next year. For comparison, the companies ordered to make the largest refunds are Thames Water (£56.8m), Anglian Water (£38.1m) and Yorkshire Water (£36m).
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