Clive Jones MP calls for Ofwat to be scrapped as bills set to increase by £152 in Wokingham

Clive Jones MP and the Liberal Democrats are calling for Ofwat, the water regulator, to be scrapped and replaced “with a new, effective regulator to hold water companies accountable”. They also want to see a single social tariff introduced to help eliminate water poverty.

Bills for Thames Water customers are set to rise by £152 by 2029-30, an increase of 35%.
 

Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, said:

“This is insulting and a kick in the teeth for customers in Wokingham and across Berkshire who are already enduring a cost-of-living crisis.
 

“It’s outrageous that water companies have been allowed to pollute our local rivers with gallons of sewage and fail to invest in fixing leaky infrastructure, whilst executives stuff their pockets with bonuses.
 

“Customers are being asked to pay the price for their failure. This is unacceptable. The Liberal Democrats want to see Ofwat scrapped and replaced with a tough new regulator who will put a stop to this.”
 

“I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to demand an explanation as to why my constituents are expected to pay a premium for Thames Water’s financial mismanagement.”