Gideon Amos calls for ban on water bosses' bonuses

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, has called for an immediate ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water after it was announced this week that the company would have to pay back £5.3 million due to poor performance.

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 party has previously revealed that there were 1,736 sewage spills in the former Taunton Deane constituency last year. This is the most recent data available and uses the old constituency boundaries.

Mr Amos said the steps by the regulator needed to be a “watershed” moment for Wessex Water and that it was “high time” action was taken on the polluting firms.

“For too long, the Conservatives allowed water companies to ride roughshod over people here in Taunton and Wellington, 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 Taunton and Wellington.”