Independent Water Commission

Ben Coleman Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

I am happy to give my hon. Friend that reassurance. The changes we are bringing about through this water revolution will reduce levels of pollution in chalk streams, and they will also reduce the need for abstractions from those chalk streams, which has been one of the most damaging features causing such distress to residents of his constituency, across Hertfordshire, and of other parts of the country.

[Ben Coleman (Chelsea and Fulham) (Lab)]

I very much welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement, which means that Thames Water will no longer be able to treat my constituents with contempt—as it did under the previous Conservative Government—by diverting many millions from the bills paid by local residents to shell out dividends to its shareholders and pay itself bonuses, all the while pumping loads of sewage into our river. The Secretary of State has talked about ringfencing; can he clarify what will happen if Thames Water does not now invest enough of its income in stopping the spills and clearing up our river? Is it fair to say that Thames Water and its directors are still drinking in the last chance saloon?

[Steve Reed]

The new regulatory regime will allow for much closer supervision of the water companies, and will be able to intervene much earlier if there is any sign of those companies failing to invest in the priorities that they have committed to invest in.