Water bills rise: Tom Gordon slams Government as bills increase by 29% in Harrogate and Knaresborough confirmed

Responding to the news that water bills are confirmed as set to soar 29% in Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has slammed the Government for giving water companies “free reign”.

Tom Gordon and the Liberal Democrats have called for the government to implement a single social tariff urgently to support vulnerable customers struggling to meet their water bills, no matter where they live.

Bills for Yorkshire Water customers are set to rise by £136 over the next year, an increase of 29%. 

The price rises come amidst months of scandal for Yorkshire Water, which continues to discharge sewage into rivers including the River Nidd, for which they have been fined, all whilst paying out a vast £371,000 bonus to their CEO and being criticised for failing to deal with customer complaints. 

Alongside Councillor Hannah Gostlow, Tom recently met with the Environment Agency at Knaresborough Lido on the River Nidd to discuss the sewage and pollution issues at the site.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“This is an outrageous bill rise. Instead of tackling Yorkshire Water or taking them to task, the Government has given them free reign - and residents in Harrogate and Knaresborough are paying the price.

“It’s a disgrace that water companies have been able to hike our bills - a third of which goes on servicing debt - while they fail to fix leaks and pollute our rivers and streams.

“Bill payers are being penalised for the failure of water companies to invest well and provide a good service for customers and the environment. This cannot go on. The people of Yorkshire deserve better.”

ENDS