Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP backs Parliamentary motion criticising water bill rise

Tom Gordon MP has backed his first Parliamentary Motion since being sworn in this week, which has urged Ofwat to reconsider water bill rises. 

The motion, proposed by Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP, will be presented once the King has re-opened Parliament later this week. 

Yorkshire Water has announced it will hike bills by a staggering 25%, despite water firms being allowed to dump raw sewage into local waterways. 

During the general election, the Liberal Democrats called for Ofwat to be abolished and a new water regulator established with greater powers. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Ofwat to use their existing powers to crackdown on large water bill rises. The party is also calling on the government to implement a ban on water company executive bonuses until sewage discharges end and leaks are fixed.

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, said: 

“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, this water bill hike is unacceptable and insulting to so many people struggling to make ends meet.

“What make it even more absurd is that it comes whilst Yorkshire Water continues to pump raw sewage into our rivers, like the Nidd, failing to even deliver what their customers – my constituents – are meant to be paying for. 

“Time and again during the General Election campaign, people on their doorsteps told me that they wanted an MP who will stand up to these firms. That is why my first Parliamentary signature will be backing this bill brought forward by Sarah Olney MP. 

“Yorkshire Water cannot be allowed to get away with this. They, the regulator and the government must listen.”

ENDS

Full text of Parliamentary Motion to be submitted by Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP:

That this House regrets the large increases that have been proposed to consumer water bills; notes that water companies continue to dump sewage into local waterways; believes as a point of principle that it is unfair for water companies to make consumers bearing the brunt of the costs for improvements to infrastructure when companies have paid out millions to shareholders in profits and in bonuses to directors and executives; and calls on water companies to ensure water bills make clear to customers where their money is being spent.