Burnham has attacked water companies after some of them raised bills in line with regular Ofwat structures. Southern Water: £43 extra (down to £37 in 2029); Thames Water: £3 up to £5 in 29; Severn Trent £3 to £5; Wessex Water £4 to £7; South East Water up by £1 in 2029. Labour sharpening the sticks…
Burnham said:
“I understand why people are angry – I am too.
The truth is, customers have been asked to pay more for years, yet serious pollution incidents are at record levels and the pipes are still leaking.
None of which is the bill-payers’ fault, who should not be treated as a bottomless source of funding for other people’s failures.
Customers cannot be treated as a blank cheque. Where water companies seek to pass unnecessary costs on to households, they will be challenged.
Our water industry has clearly not been working for people for far too long. That’s why this Government will be looking at how we can give the public more control and help keep bills as low as possible.”
Does anyone remember how bad water provision was prior to privatisation?
Lord Khan in the Telegraph: “I hope, and I say this in a non-pompous way, that the public service I do will bring rewards in this world and the hereafter,” he says. “I’m hoping the work I do is earning me Brownie points.”