Lewes MP backs Parliamentary motion criticising water bill rise

The newly elected Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Lewes has called on Ofwat to rethink "insulting" water bill rises. 

James MacCleary MP, has backed their first Parliamentary Motion since being sworn in this week, which has urged Ofwat to reconsider water bill rises. 

The motion, proposed by Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP, will be presented once the King has re-opened Parliament next week. 

Southern Water has announced it will hike bills by a staggering 44%, despite water firms being allowed to dump raw sewage into local waterways. South East Water have also announced plans for an 8% rise.

During the general election, the Liberal Democrats called for Ofwat to be abolished and a new water regulator established with greater powers. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Ofwat to use their existing powers to crackdown on large water bill rises. The party is also calling on the government to implement a ban on water company executive bonuses until sewage discharges end and leaks are fixed.

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Lewes, James MacCleary said:  "This is an insulting water bill hike in the middle of a cost of living crisis and whilst water firms continue to pump raw sewage into the Ouse and the Cuckmere and into our coastal waters at Newhaven and Seaford. 

"Southern Water should not be allowed to get away with this. Communities like ours voted to take tough action on these polluting and profiteering firms. The regulator and government must listen. 

"People told me they want an MP who will stand up against these firms. That is why my first Parliamentary Motion signature will be to call out these disgraced firms for their water bill hikes."

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Full text of Parliamentary Motion to be submitted by Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP:

That this House regrets the large increases that have been proposed to consumer water bills; notes that water companies continue to dump sewage into local waterways; believes as a point of principle that it is unfair for water companies to make consumers bearing the brunt of the costs for improvements to infrastructure when companies have paid out millions to shareholders in profits and in bonuses to directors and executives; and calls on water companies to ensure water bills make clear to customers where their money is being spent.