Tom Gordon calls for Government action as Yorkshire Water ordered to pay £40 million due to “serious failures”

Following news this morning that Yorkshire Water has been ordered to pay £40 million due to what Ofwat have called “serious failings”, Tom has called for Government action to sort out the water industry “once and for all.”

Ofwat, the water industry regulator, has just released a report, following an investigation first begun in 2021, that has found that Yorkshire Water has failed to adequately invest in and maintain its networks. They have ordered the company to pay £36.6 million during 2025-30 to ensure the work goes in to fixing the worst storm overflows. They will also pay £3.4 million to Great Yorkshire Rivers Partnership, which will be used to clear improve the health of rivers in Yorkshire. 

This latest news comes after years of crisis. Since Tom was elected in July last year, Yorkshire Water has been fined by Ofwat for sewage dumping, come under fire for failing to deal with customer complaints, and continued to dump sewage, all whilst paying out a £371,000 bonus to their CEO, and requesting a large increase in customer bills over the next year. It was also revealed that a third of all customer bills go on servicing debts and dividends. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

“We need immediate action from the Government to sort out the water industry once and for all. Constant fines and criticism cannot go on and on. Whether the water industry is too far down a hole to sort itself out, or just isn’t interested in cleaning up its act, it’s abundantly clear that we need immediate action to ensure customers get what they are paying for. 

“How can the public have any confidence in the water industry’s ability to deliver what they are paying for, when all we see is failure after failure? We need proper action from the Government to get the industry into line once and for all. This charade cannot go on. 

“The water industry is fundamentally broken, and I will continue to fight to make sure that customers get what they are paying for, including by banning the absurd bonuses and dividend handouts at their expense. Enough is enough.”

ENDS