Adam Dance MP demands bosses bonus ban for Wessex Water and South West Water following new Ofwat report

Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil and South Somerset, has called for an immediate ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water after it was announced today (8th October) that the company would have to pay back £5.3m due to poor performance whilst South West Water would have to pay back £17.4m. Wessex Water covers 95% of the constituency with South West Water covering most of the rest. 

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 2,667 sewage spills in Yeovil and South Somerset last year. Local MP, Adam Dance said that the steps by the regulator announced today needed to be a “watershed” moment for water companies and that it was “high time” action was taken on these polluting firms.
 

Adam Dance MP said: 
 

"For too long the Conservatives allowed water companies to ride roughshod over people in Yeovil and South Somerset, pumping their filthy sewage into our waterways all the while the bosses took home massive bonuses.

“That must end. No longer should these people be personally 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 Yeovil and South Somerset.”