Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, called Thames Water CEO Mr Martin Baggs into Parliament earlier this year to face a delegation of MPs with questions regarding the financial implications to customers of the Thames Tideway Tunnel.

Stephen said, "We all recognise the environmental reasons for the tunnel, but the majority of MPs at the meeting were concerned about the way in which finance would be raised to pay for the infrastructure project and how much the tunnel would cost their constituents.  The project is estimated to increase wastewater customers’ bills by £70 - £80 annually and I do not think it is fair to ask customers that live outside London to pay for the tunnel, when they will see no changes to their services.

"Thames also failed to offer a sound explanation for the charges and serious questions were raised throughout the meeting about the financial position in which Thames Water finds itself. The general feeling was that customers were being asked to bail out Thames Water because, despite plans to upgrade the sewage infrastructure in London being on the table for years, Thames Water has continued to pay out high dividends to its shareholders and increase its borrowing, confident the customer would pick up the tab for this project.

"I am delighted that OFWAT, the water industry regulator has dismissed Thames Water's latest bid to increase prices and has finally realised that the costs the company claim are necessary need much greater scrutiny. It is time OFWAT took a closer interest in the Thames Water Tideway Tunnel project and allow customers to choose their waste and water supplier so hard working families can get a better deal."

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