Wokingham MP Clive Jones is backing a new Parliamentary motion criticising a proposed rise in water bills

Wokingham MP Clive Jones is backing a new Parliamentary motion criticising a proposed rise in water bills. The newly elected MP has called on Ofwat to rethink “insulting” water bill rises.

Clive Jones MP, has backed their first Parliamentary Motion since being sworn in this week, which has urged Ofwat to reconsider its proposed 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.

South East Water, the largest water provider across Wokingham, has announced it will raise the average annual bill by 8% to £248 a year. Meanwhile, other water companies such as Southern Water are hiking their prices by a staggering 44%, with their customers facing an average annual bill of £603 a year. The fact that colossal price rises are coming at a time where water firms are being allowed to dump raw sewage into local waterways is a tragedy.

During the general election, the Liberal Democrats called for Ofwat to be abolished and a new water regulator to be established with greater powers. If Ofwat is to remain, the Liberal Democrats say that the regulator must use their existing powers to crack down 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 Wokingham, Clive Jones, 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 our waterways.

“Water companies like South East 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.

“My constituents told me on the doorstep that they want an MP who will stand up against these firms, and I intend to deliver. That is why my first Parliamentary Motion signature will be to call out these disgraced firms for attempting to squeeze the public with their water bill hikes.”