This is a measure Anne Marie has campaigned for since being elected to Parliament and she organised street stalls in Newton Abbot and Teignmouth earlier in the year seeking support for this suggestion in her constituency.
Anne Marie said
“I am absolutely delighted the Chancellor has listened to those of us in the South West who have been campaigning hard to persuade ministers that there is a clear need for action to be taken now to get our water bills down.
“The South West has the highest average water bill in the country at £517. Successive price increases over a number of years, poor infrastructure at privatisation and the fact 3% of the population pay for the maintenance of 30% of the coastline have combined to ensure our region pays over the odds when the water bill hits the doormat. As a result, people wanted to see action taken that makes things fairer for all households.
“This is something I have been championing since I was elected to serve in Parliament and I know from the volume of correspondence I have received on this from my constituents that this is something many people are rightly outraged about. I was encouraged when in excess of 500 people demonstrated their support for the prospect of a £40m government injection by signing my campaign card at street stalls that I held in Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. I am pleased that the government has listened to each and every one of you who signed this campaign card and all those of you across the South West who have contacted your MP about this matter.
“This is excellent news - but we must remember the size of the challenge that faces us. The government has announced what it can do to help. I want to see more however and I will be working hard with all interested parties to ensure any saving is not swallowed up by future price hikes and that our water bills really are as low as they can possibly be.”