Lib Dem MP Sarah Gibson calls bonus ban on water firm bosses a missed opportunity for real change

Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham Constituency has described the Government’s temporary 12-month ban on water company executives bonuses as a missed opportunity to deliver the serious reform the industry urgently needs.

Six water companies, including Thames Water and Wessex Water, will be barred from handing out executive bonuses for the 2024/25 financial year.

Lib Dem MP Sarah Gibson has warned the ban simply doesn’t go far enough to stop polluting firms from dodging accountability or rewarding failure.

Commenting, Sarah Gibson Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham Constituency, said:

“People in Wiltshire are fed up with sewage in rivers and poor service, whilst bills continue to rise and environmental damage worsens. 

“The Government has missed an opportunity for real change. Liberal Democrats have long called for a ban on bonuses until leaks are fixed and sewage spills end but this ban is too weak - especially when firms can simply hike salaries and get around it.

“It’s time to scrap Ofwat and replace it with a tough, independent regulator that holds water companies to account. No bonuses for polluting and poor services. No loopholes. No more excuses. It’s time the government took action for fundamental reform to clean up the industry and provide the services the public deserves and pays for.”