Helen slams Labour over missed opportunity to stop customers footing bill for water company failures

Labour and Conservative MPs failed to back Liberal Democrat plans to protect customers from footing the bill for water company bailouts in a House of Commons vote this week.

Helen Morgan was one of the Liberal Democrat MPs proposing an amendment to the Water (Special Measures) Bill which would protect consumers from having to bail out bankrupt water companies.

This amendment was rejected by both the Conservatives and the Labour Government.

This comes after news that customers are set to face eye-watering water bill rises over the next few years. Bills for Severn Trent customers are set to rise by £185 by 2029-30, an increase of 47% on where they stand now.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “We urgently need a fair deal that puts people over profit, both in Shropshire and across the country. For too long, water companies like Severn Trent have been able to get away with financial mismanagement whilst knowing that hard-working people will be expected to pick up the tab.

“I’m proud that the Liberal Democrats are taking Labour to task on the issue, and I hope Ministers see that they must change course and puts customers first.

“We have already secured a single social tariff for vulnerable customers and will continue to fight for fair bills, an end to pollution and better services for customers.”