Anne Marie said:
“I very much welcome the recent Westminster Hall debate secured by Torbay MP Adrian Saunders in order to highlight to the Government the unacceptably high water and sewage charges we all face down here in the South West. The debate constituted a timely reminder in light of recent price increase announcements that something needs to be done about this as a matter of urgency.
I fundamentally believe the time has come for the talking to stop and for some action to start. We currently have water and sewage rates down here in the South West that can be described as nothing short of a disgrace. The fact we all have another above inflation increase to look forward to during these difficult economic times is bad enough. The fact it will take the average water bill in the South West soaring above £500 is simply unacceptable.
We all know the history and we all know the price...and we all know the current circumstances are unsustainable. I welcome the additional assistance that is to be offered to those with lower income revenues in the region in order to help them meet their bill obligations. However, we must move on from a position where everyone else is stung by a water rate that they simply cannot afford.
There is a debate as to how we should progress from here and I believe the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs needs to ensure fairness is introduced into its considerations and consultations as well as affordability. Until we find an equitable solution however, I do not believe we should be facing increase after increase on what are already the highest bills in the country. The increases that have been permitted are too much. . The bill should be capped until we get this right...and we need to get this right as soon as possible.