Scrapping Ofwat a big win for campaign to end national sewage scandal, insist Surrey Lib Dem MPs

Surrey’s six Liberal Democrat MPs have welcomed the news that Ofwat is being replaced by a tougher water regulator as a victory for water customers right across the county.

Scrapping Ofwat and bringing in much stronger regulation of water companies to tackle sewage dumping was a key commitment in the Liberal Democrat manifesto last year.

Liberal Democrat MPs Helen Maguire, Al Pinkerton, Chris Coghlan, Monica Harding, Will Forster and Zöe Franklin, said:

“We are delighted that the Government has finally seen sense and is listening to the Liberal Democrats on the national sewage scandal.

"The Liberal Democrats have led the way in demanding tougher action against sewage pollution, soaring bills and bloated bonuses for water company bosses and have been calling for Ofwat to be scrapped since 2022.

“This wouldn’t be happening without the incredible support we received from people across Surrey at the general election last year. We’ve heard from countless constituents who are furious about our filthy local rivers, sewage spills and water companies being let off the hook.

“This fight is far from over. Just last week, new figures showed a spike in discharges from Thames Water in the River Mole, the River Thames and the River Wey. The government must now get on with setting up a new, stronger regulator that is empowered to properly hold water companies to account.

“We Surrey Liberal Democrats will keep putting pressure on the Government until every water customer in Surrey has access to the service they deserve."