Water ombudsman: We need fundamental change, not another layer of bureaucracy

EMBARGO: 2230 Sunday 20th July

Responding to the Government’s announcement of a new water ombudsman to support customers, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:

“To effectively tackle the sewage scandal, we need fundamental change, not another layer of bureaucracy.

“One of the reasons that the current system is failing is that there are too many weak regulators being played off by the powerful water companies.

“A new water ombudsman may provide the possibility of redress for customers who for too long have been forced to foot the bill for failing water companies, while executives pocket extortionate bonuses.

“Since 2022, the Liberal Democrats have been clear: Ofwat must go. If Ofwat remains in either name or nature, then the Government will have let the public down. Simply scrapping Ofwat but retaining a balkanised and weak regulatory framework will only be window dressing, so we are interested in the Government’s proposals but the jury is still out as to whether they’ll make much difference.

“The sewage crisis has plagued our waterways for far too long, and we now need an effective, consolidated, powerful and independent body that finally holds water companies to account for the mess they’ve made.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor: 

For Tim Farron MP’s response to reports that the Government will scrap Ofwat, please see here.

For Ed Davey MP’s response to the Government’s announcement that it will cut water pollution by 2030, please see here.