MP raises plight of Thames Water at PMQs
Sir Keir Starmer has faced his first session in the Commons
New MP for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller, asked the first Prime Minister’s Question of the Parliament, demanding that PM Keir Starmer take action on the sewage scandal after 2,600 hours of sewage was dumped into the River Evenlode last year.
The Liberal Democrat MP’s question highlighted Thames Water’s sewage dumping in his constituency, citing Combe, where the Evenlode River suffered 2,600 hours worth of sewage being pumped into it last year.
He raised that Ofwat has allowed the provider to withdraw ÂŁ7 billion in dividends while wanting to hike water bills on customers by 40%.
The Bicester and Woodstock MP said that this showed that “the system is broken” and called for a top to bottom reform of the water industry with Ofwat replaced by a new regulator to clamp down on firms.
In response, the Prime Minister thanked the Lib Dem MP for raising this “important issue” and said that “customers should not pay the price for mismanagement by water companies”.
Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller said:
“After speaking to countless constituents in recent weeks, the same message came up time and again, people are sick to the back teeth of Thames Water relentlessly pumping sewage into our precious rivers and streams and damaging our beautiful countryside.
“Now this disgraced firm wants bill payers to pay much more for bills because they diverted borrowing that should have been used for investment into huge dividend payments.
“The Conservative party turned a blind eye to these unacceptable practices for years, allowing water companies to get off scot free for harming our environment.
“Enough is enough, my constituents cannot wait any longer. Ofwat must be replaced by a new regulator with real teeth to crack down on these polluting firms and bring the sewage scandal to an end.
“Whilst I welcome the new government’s announcement of a new Water Bill, we must work to ensure there are no half-measures in ending the sewage scandal.”