Pippa demands bosses’ bonus ban for Anglian Water following new Ofwat report

Pippa Heylings, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire, has called for an immediate ban on executive bonuses at Anglian Water after it was announced today (8th October) that the company would have to pay back £38.1 million due to poor performance.

It comes as the new government’s Water Bill is set to be debated in Parliament. The Liberal Democrats have said the bill is only a “half-measure” and will table an amendment that would enforce an immediate ban on water company bosses’ bonuses.

The Liberal Democrats have previously revealed that there were 827 sewage spills in South Cambridgeshire last year. This is the most recent data available and uses the old constituency boundaries.

Local MP, Pippa Heylings said that the steps by the regulator announced today needed to be a “watershed” moment for Anglian Water and that it was “high time” action was taken on these polluting firms.

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire Pippa Heylings said: 

“During the General Election, I heard repeatedly from people worried about pollution in our rivers and chalk streams. It’s clear that the Conservatives allowed water companies to ride roughshod over people here in South Cambridgeshire for far too long. They have been pumping filthy sewage into our waterways while their bosses take home massive bonuses.

“That must end. No longer can polluting companies be rewarded for failing to protect our local environment all whilst hiking bills on people in our area.

“Disappointingly, the new government’s bill is only a half-measure and nowhere near tough enough on these polluting firms.

“That is why I am proud to support the Liberal Democrats amendment to the bill, which would ban water company bosses' bonuses until leaks are fixed and sewage spills end. Only then will we start to get a fair deal for people here in South Cambridgeshire.”