Oral Answers to Questions

Alison Bennett Excerpts

Wednesday 15th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I pay heartfelt tribute to my hon. Friend for everything that she has done to campaign on and draw attention to this issue and for the very powerful and personal way in which she argues it. When she spoke in the House earlier this year, it was compelling for all of us, for all the right reasons, and I thank her for that—I know she will continue to do so for many, many years to come, and rightly so.

[Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) (LD)]

Q6. I put on record my appreciation for the hard work of the Prime Minister’s ministerial team in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in tackling the absolute failings of South East Water. However, last Friday, 1,200 pupils at Downlands community school in Hassocks were sent home because they had no water. For those children, their parents and their teachers, that was another reminder of South East Water letting communities down. I am sure the Prime Minister will agree that something as basic as turning on the taps should never be in doubt. Before new housing developments are approved, does he agree that water companies should be compelled to confirm that they have the capacity to provide a reliable water supply to new homes?

[The Prime Minister]

This incident is completely unacceptable. Every customer deserves reliable, resilient services, particularly during extreme heat, when there is a risk to public health. The Water Minister has met the company’s leadership to demand improvements, and we will follow up in that way.