Independent Water Commission

Manuela Perteghella Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Steve Reed]

I know Battersea very well—it is a beautiful area—and I am aware of the problems with pollution. Of course, she knows all too well the concerns of her residents about escalating bills as a result of the failure of the previous Government to get a grip on the water sector. We will be publishing the White Paper and launching the consultation this autumn, which will be followed by legislation in the first half of this Parliament.

[Manuela Perteghella (Stratford-on-Avon) (LD)]

My constituents have faced an increase in their water bills without any improvement in the dumping of sewage in their rivers and brooks or upgrade in their infrastructure. What assurances can the Government provide that those increases will not end up in the pockets of water company bosses?

[Steve Reed]

I hope that the hon. Member will be reassured by the fact that I have ringfenced customers’ money so that it can no longer be diverted for payment of bonuses and dividends, as was commonplace under the previous Government. It will be spent only on what it was intended for, which is investing in better water infrastructure. If that does not happen, it will be refunded to customers.