07-17-2024, 07:31 PM
The Liberal Party notes with concern the proposed rises to domestic water bills being advocated by the water regulator OFWAT to fund long overdue environmental improvements.
The regulator is recommending an average increase in bills of £94 over five years, although there are regional differences with Southern Water proposing a £183 and Thames Water a £99 increase over this timeframe(The Independent 11th July).
The party believes that in a country still suffering from the effects of a cost-of-living crisis, such increases are entirely unsustainable, and investment must come from the companies themselves as in any other business.
A privatised industry which has paid out £70 billion in dividends, whilst incurring crippling debts of £60 billion should have been prioritising investment in its network and securing water resources as part of its normal business activities.
The Liberal Party re-iterates its pledge to bring back the nations water companies into public ownership for the benefit of the country and environment and not directing dividend payouts to foreign owners and investors.
The regulator is recommending an average increase in bills of £94 over five years, although there are regional differences with Southern Water proposing a £183 and Thames Water a £99 increase over this timeframe(The Independent 11th July).
The party believes that in a country still suffering from the effects of a cost-of-living crisis, such increases are entirely unsustainable, and investment must come from the companies themselves as in any other business.
A privatised industry which has paid out £70 billion in dividends, whilst incurring crippling debts of £60 billion should have been prioritising investment in its network and securing water resources as part of its normal business activities.
The Liberal Party re-iterates its pledge to bring back the nations water companies into public ownership for the benefit of the country and environment and not directing dividend payouts to foreign owners and investors.