Time for OFWAT to Stand Up for the Consumer

3.43.26pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th May 2007

Cornwall's 5 Liberal Democrat MPs have welcomed a Parliamentary Committee's report calling on Ofwat to make changes to the regulatory system. The Liberal Democrats have long been calling for such reform, as the current system leaves some of the lowest earners in the country paying for the cleanup costs of 30% of the coastline.

Further progress has recently been made by the MPs, including an agreement from Regina Finn, Ofwat's Chief Executive to visit the County and see for herself the strains that high water bills are placing on people living in the region.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, said:

"The Parliamentary Committee's report supports what we have been saying for a long time now. Ofwat has consistently failed to stand up for water consumers and has particularly neglected the problem in the South West. I look forward to welcoming Ofwat's Chief Executive to Cornwall so that she can see how unsustainable and unfair the current situation is."

Falmouth and Camborne MP, Julia Goldsworthy is also optimistic that she will soon be in a position to lead a delegation of MPs to a meeting with Treasury Minister, John Healey, and Defra Minister, Ian Pearson. Ms Goldsworthy requested the meeting last month after she raised her concerns that high water bills will have a detrimental impact on Cornwall reaching its child poverty target. Ministers have now agreed to attend such a meeting in the summer, once the results of the pilot study have been reported.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said:

"The meeting this summer will be particularly important as it will bring together Ministers from Defra and the Treasury. It is vital that the Government recognises that for progress to be made, regulatory reform is needed and this would require a cross-governmental approach."

"Although this is an issue caused by the botched privatisation of the water industry by the Conservatives, it is very disappointing that after 10 years of a Labour Government, little has been done to resolve a problem that is causing financial hardship for so many people. I am hopeful that real progress can be made over the next few months."