Ofwat Off Out Of It!

After years of Liberal Democrat pressure, the Government has finally listened, announcing that the weak water regulator Ofwat will be scrapped. 

And it’s about time! 

Only last week, another dramatic surge in sewage spills was revealed - the number of the most serious water pollution incidents went up by 60% last year. 

The entire system is broken. Water companies are getting away with polluting our rivers on an industrial scale and face little more than a slap on the wrist. They pay out millions in dividends and bonuses, while YOU face higher bills. 

That’s why, since November 2022, we Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Government to scrap Ofwat and replace it with a new, effective regulator, with real power to hold water companies to account. 

When we first brought up the sewage scandal, the Conservatives and Labour sneered at us for promoting what they saw as a trivial issue. Now the Government has finally listened to our campaign and acknowledged the public anger behind it. 

While scrapping Ofwat is a big step in the right direction, we’ll continue to pressure the Government to go much further to end the crisis once and for all. 

The Government wants to halve the number of times sewage is discharged into waterways by 2030. But with so many people getting sick from swimming in polluted waters, they should commit to ending all sewage dumping in bathing waters by this date. 

In the months ahead, we’ll be holding the Government to account to deliver these changes and take the additional steps needed to reform the system. 

The days of wild west water companies paying out huge bonuses while ruining rivers with filthy sewage must finally be brought to an end. 

There's no doubt these major reforms would not be happening if it wasn't for our record General Election win and the millions who voted for, and supported us last year, allowing us to deliver our relentless campaign. 

But there is still so much to do. It is only the Liberal Democrats who are working hard to fix our broken health and care services, tackle the cost-of-living crisis and deliver the change the country is crying out for.