United Utilities need to foot the bill – not customers

The announcement of an immediate £86 rise in water bills, and a 32% increase over five years, has been criticised by Stockport MP Lisa Smart after it was revealed that the price rises would also fund increased dividends. 

Lisa Smart MP said: “Customers are understandably outraged that they are seeing their bills go up, but investors are just getting the benefits. 

“We have seen environmental standards suffer for years. Only a few weeks ago, residents were in touch with me sending me pictures of a field in Romiley filled with sewage. You can see why people aren’t happy that they are paying for the work to stop this, not investors.”

The Liberal Democrats also forced a vote in the Commons last night on an amendment to the Water (Special Measures) Bill to ensure that creditors, rather than customers, would pay when water companies go bankrupt. 

The measure was voted down by the Labour Government, with the Conservatives abstaining.

Lisa added: “The failure to get to grips with the water companies and end sewage dumping is a national scandal that started under the Conservatives, and has continued under Labour. 

“It is desperately disappointing to see the Government again let another bill get pushed through customers’ doors.”