Richard Questions Ofwat Price Review Director Over 36% Water Bill Increase

[@gillianmorris747]

Ofwat, Ofgem, Ofsted, Ofcom, all USELESS, get rid

[@jonboymk1bridgemaryfront889]

no mate

[@andrewmayo608]

They are in no way looking after the interests of the Bill Payer.

[@yiannidemetriou7548]

They are all government controlled organisations

[@lordvader6378]

​@@jonboymk1bridgemaryfront889why not.

[@oliverplays9598]

Run by ex water company bosses, energy company bosses. All lining there own pockets

[@Ukipmiddleleft]

I'm sick of this rip off country

[@alfadjalo3722]

Jeremy Corbyn was right 😅😅

[@lisaf7909]

We've already given them lots of money and they have allowed our water sources to become contaminated. Water should not be for profit!

[@ImloyaltoScotlandonly]

Scotlands water is nationalized under snp

[@martinhill9261]

Nothing has changed with condition of the waterways. There has always been some level of pollution. This is just a trick to put the prices up.

[@mackerelbasher]

" I understand public concern and anger '' But...I don't give a toss

[@johnwillison6822]

@mackerelbasher so you're happy to pay almost a 50% hike next year and trust they'll improve the standard of service and environmental damage

[@robwellings1608]

36% increase for what ?? More bumper bonuses for directors ?? OFWAT not fit for purpose, you should be ashamed of yourselves

[@jamesbowskill362]

Most profits are for the foreign owned water companies whose shareholders cant get the same payouts in their countries due to government fixing prices.........................SO they fleece the UK users AGAIN & AGAIN, while starmer stands & watches

[@LoneSheWolf09]

Absolutely CRIMINAL!!! Renationalise all our public services!!

[@jonclingan193]

This whole country is on the floor, the general public are ripped off with everything, a total disgrace, wish I could leave.

[@Bert53Bert]

I thought water was a basic human right why are we paying shareholders and bosses huge bonuses for something we need to stay alive!!!!!

[@crotchet1586]

Rampant Corpratism

[@martyndawson7484]

Which they get for free from the sky!

[@David-kp5mp]

One bill I don't pay

[@nickman002]

@@David-kp5mphow do you get your water?

[@David-kp5mp]

@@nickman002 water can't be turned off! It's lifesaving. Electric yes as you can make your own light. Gas yes as you can make your own warmth

[@leet3207]

Nothing more than legalised racketeering.

[@Fabbydabby1]

If bills have to rise to fund investment then why have they been given out big dividends

[@crotchet1586]

Because the bonuses are linked to how much they pay out in dividends. Totally corrupt

[@nicksealey7004]

Disgraceful,,GREED is what it is,,

[@Ben-e9u4d]

Really genius

[@DiscoDave-yt9dq]

Did everyone notice He just wouldn't ask the question,why CEO,s get massive bonuses The water companies are just getting ver greedy, useless, haven't got a clue what day of the week it is staff I surprised the regular didn't increase their salary up to say a minimum of 10 million a year as the chief executive must be struggling to pay their own massive water bill😮

[@chris-vn6sw]

Yet again the public have to pay for private company greed 😡😡

[@jamesgilheany9624]

OFWAT literally has one job and it's failed. Consequences - none.

[@SimonSmith-yd6tt]

Ofwat, Ofcom, Energy Ombudsman & FSA/FCA all toothless useless quangos set up by ? .... Ans The Tory Party

[@jonno946]

Nodding dog springs to mind

[@mpjkea2000]

Whilst living in France we had to double check that the water bill was right as it was so low ? Electricity as well is very much lower than the UK. Rip off UK

[@crotchet1586]

Isnt that because they pay a higher rate of tax that goes to subsidising utilities?

[@ambessaseway5594]

Not any longer France has to rise Water&Electricity costs significantly

[@mpjkea2000]

@crotchet1586 hello our house in UK was way more expensive than the one in France. The council tax in the UK plus £200 , paid the two property taxes, water, electricity, gas, TV licence. Rip off UK. Hospitals , dentists, roads put us to shame.

[@199019852007]

France has nuclear power stations to produce electricity that under control of the French government

[@CountryWilly]

So the pensioners will freeze and have no water

[@tonytucker7359]

But at least where putting immigrants up in hotels

[@misssocrates3442]

They cannot turn off your water. An if when you move into somewhere you don't give over your duties they can't tra k or charge you!!!

[@tonytucker7359]

@@CountryWilly so how 🇬🇧 democracy works is if u feel aggrieved by insufficient-legislation protecting the vulnerable in society then u should lobby your mp as your rep and ask them to raise concerns in parliament

[@CountryWilly]

@ that’s hilarious since they are the crooks who made it happen thanks for the laugh

[@sbalmer132]

Why did OFWAT allow the water companies to neglect their responsibilities and allow deterioration of the waterways so that they could give the money to themselves.Disgusting

[@kevinfleming4906]

Well done the GMB team. Don't let these worms off the hook.

[@BUDDIBAABI-ej4ed]

Why is OfWat not forcing water companies to use their profits to upgrade the system? This is why Reform is becoming popular amongst the public.

[@butlerpa100]

What the heck have these companies been doing for years. Dumping sewage in rivers and not addressing the problems

[@Peasant102]

We have to wake up people, this government’s priorities are not the same as ours. Our taxes are rising for a reason and we all know the answer.

[@derekslaven3454]

AND AGAIN OFWAT REWARDS FOR FAILURE AND 80% OF MONEY WILL GO ON INCREASED WAGES AND BONUSES.............IS THAT CORRUPTION.....OR WHAT!!!!!!!

[@dextercool]

Why wasn't ring-fencing for investment in infrastructure done from the start of privatisation?

[@ricardosmythe2548]

Because it was done to pump money into private hands. The authorities don't represent the public they represent private entities.

[@albertcross4275]

It's simple, money, and greed... A total scam... 🤔🤔

[@rchatte100]

Cut the dammed foreign aid budget and give us our money back!

[@michaelhardy3503]

Put it back in public ownership. Cuts out money going to shareholders.​@Darren-i1w

[@AnnemarieHolden-e5u]

By benefifs you mean the unpaid carers that sace the government millions. What woukd you do with all the people that. Eed caring for when social care, education systen is broken ​@Darren-i1w

[@deanjames2476]

Scrap net-zero save billions

[@jamesbirch130]

Even if the government of the time did cancel the foreign aid... What makes you 🤔 for one second they will spend money on the UK.. has never really happend

[@lolbro1]

“To fund vital investment “ ……….the people also generously ‘funded’ shareholders record payouts

[@sharonsmith381]

GREED GREED AND MORE GREED

[@prodlowd]

Ofwat want to please water bosses, they don't care about the public

[@Dawson1994]

His Job should be working for the people but he works for the millionaire

[@josephsweeney-ll1ni]

just so corrupt

[@Potatoman7]

People talk about accountability but no ever suffers consequences of their failures instead they get rewarded. What consequences did Paula Vennells suffer after sending innocent people to jail.. There is no such thing as accountability for these people.

[@Kellyr555]

So why they paying themselves massive salaries and bonuses

[@johnwillison6822]

Refuse to pay. They cant cut our water off. Its a right

[@Felled-angel]

I stopped paying 5 years ago and haven't even had a letter.

[@Cooki3Munster]

boycottwaterbills

[@philipsowden7363]

They can get it back from benefits or wages if have to .

[@crotchet1586]

I think Thames water can cut people off

[@Cooki3Munster]

@@crotchet1586 No they cannot, dont pay by direct debit get an itemised bill and refuse to pay the waste water charge for which they are failing to provide a service.

[@NeilBrown-rz5ll]

Fergal Sharkey the only person that speaks sense!..

[@Dawnsmith-r8m]

We will not be going to work soon our pay will be nothing left

[@tonyking1176]

Richard did a great job this morning

[@David-j9h9g]

They have had decades to improve.....but they wanted to pay investors!!!!

[@AssassinsBlade25]

How bout u ask him and other supposed regulators how much they are being paid in bribes from these companies

[@alps17p]

Every1 shud not pay!! Water should be free!! Let alone double the price!!

[@David-kp5mp]

I don't pay. Water CAN'T be turned off because it's a lifeline.

[@robincormie855]

Nobody should be profiting, from water/heating people need this just to live!

[@n28utd]

Thought this government was meant to hold these organisations to account, pft OK then

[@terryolekszy9486]

No doubt they will pay their directors generous dividends

[@itsclint146]

They made billions now want billions more

[@butlerpa100]

Labour government will be taxing AIR next.

[@alzo1sgood]

Thankfully, up in Scotland, the water charge comes in line with the council tax. The people of england should tell these scam water companies to stick it.

[@jonno946]

Well done Richard

[@richardspalding3622]

And KATE

[@stephenoliver1437]

Regulars should be sacked for incompetence

[@n28utd]

"for legal reasons" hilarious 🤣🤣🤣

[@missl8894]

I know!! 😂😂😂

[@garysmith4717]

He sounds like a union boss

[@Gazdavies48]

What other business can you mismanage, not invest, pollute rivers and then expect everyone to pay for your mistakes

[@ricl7413]

Well except for the pollute waters part, I would have said anything public owned and run, councils and governments…

[@arma21regency]

Don’t worry, if you are unhappy with your water provider you can just switch....oh, wait

[@jasoncooper1728]

In one ear out the other

[@Wee_Langside]

Mrs Thatcher promised that privatised water companies would invest and manage water and sewage to give as cleaner rivers and higher quality water. They would raise money in the markets. What we've got is Foriegn companies taking money without investment for 35 years and letting the infrastructure fall apart. The last major reservoir built in England was started in 1989 when the population of England was 48 million it's now 58 million. That's profiteering neglect.

[@Cooki3Munster]

Privatised by Thatcher to detriment of all, Ofwat is pointless and needs disbanding, environment agency a joke. Prioritise water being brought back into public ownership, UK water should not be about dividend earnings.

[@brianweekes1]

DISCRACEFUL, and we’re paying their fines for dumping raw sewage. Need to be nationalised NOW

[@JosephODonohue-zf5on]

All stop paying, Send the message in the millions no, no no,We will not pay, It's not fit for purpose

[@ragemachine4991]

Just like the energy regulator Ofwat DO NOT represent the customer.

[@n28utd]

Well done Richard!!

[@markg6953]

disgusting,they could have invested and safe guarded the environment decades ago.All gone to shareholders

[@alangoodlad6869]

I think it’s called blackmail Fergal hero 👏👏👏👏👏

[@terencepowell-c4o]

Disgusting

[@gdhyper6047]

This fella should be locked up for fraud

[@telman1947]

More money for the shareholders, it want improve the water.

[@jaywalker3087]

Take it from the Hedge Fund owners.....

[@YK-tj1nh]

This is hilarious, when approx 58,000 homes in the south of Hampshire today are without running water *right now*, customers have to pay for water companies fuckups?

[@liam-james]

Took profits. Never Maintained or updated the system. The regulator did nothing. Now the regulator allows increased bills to protect profits while starting to do what they should have been doing all along. RIP off Britain 🇬🇧

[@stevewatkinson4593]

Well done Richard. Great interview.

[@MC-cl9wz]

My water bill has just gone up by 44% TODAY. Thank you Essex and Suffolk water.

[@ragnarok8952]

take the money from the investors and shareholders that siphoned off all the money in dividends

[@Animal666TNOTB]

Good to see Fergal looking well. The other one is a prat. Talking tripe.

[@petercook8679]

So as a pensioner, I'm going to get an extra £8 a week next April, while council tax, gas, electric, water are all going through the roof. Something is going to have to give.

[@andypalin3287]

Mr Personality! 😜

[@gamerlifeeee]

Ofwat bosses need to resign, they have let the water companies get away with it for too long.

[@barrykirkby9626]

The way things are going within 10 years no one except the wealthy and very well paid will be able to afford to rent properties and pay bills - with food prices increasing on what apperas to be a monthly basis,. gas and electric going up and not down as promised by the present government when they where asking for the big seat and as for the housing market, renting a place is near impossible now and will get worse due to the level of imports coming and the crucifixion of landlords. And wages outside the public sector be - no sorry we can't give you a raise as the government have just put more on employers, public sector be like - civil servants etc, yeah here's 10% and we won't be upping NI. Bad management is what government optimizes.

[@JohnSmith-ee7gf]

Richard Madeley asking the question that MPs and proper journalists should be asking. Fair play.

[@chris-non-voter]

Extra funds for share holders, we'll be here again in five years, huge bonuses, payouts to share holders and sweet F'ck all spent on infrastructure.

[@MarcyB]

Yep, let's stick this in the KZbin time capsule and confirm you're right in 5 years.

[@michaelknight3270]

Those with gardens really need to start considering buying a large water tank to collect rain water. The super rich are untouchable. Governments are doing nothing to stop their greed!

[@davidbowie2046]

Labour have give this the go ahead too! Nice to see Feargal being the voice of the people.

[@crotchet1586]

Aye, its rare to find a good heart these days!

[@farmer_donny]

Why are the water companies allowed to increase their prices so that the customers pay for investment. If my local shop wants to make an investment to improve its profits or make custom more reliable, he funds it out of his profits. He doesn't have a monopoly, which means he can't forces customers to pay whilste he takes large bonuses for doing a poor job. If my water bill is increased so they can invest in new infrastructure I want to know how many shares I get for this investment.

[@stevenwhite1490]

We shouldn't have to pay for water it's an essential need of life they gave been making mega profits for shareholders instead of investing in the Infrastructure they are all grifters lining there own pockets

[@AR-zr1om]

Let’s hope the CEOs of these companies don’t get hurt

[@bowjana8128]

No wonder more people are giving up work

[@2490debrick]

Don't pay it! Charge the water companies for their pollution!

[@mushroom4051]

Becoming like flint michegan,the regulators are in the pockets of water companys

[@Sharpe2007Dent]

Renationalise water asap. Prices need to rise to ensure investment? Theyve been making increased profits for years and the infrastructure and public health failures only gotten worse - cut the money to shareholders and re-invest THAT for these issues. Then nationalise. It should be illegal whay they are doing.

[@alfadjalo3722]

When Jeremy Corbyn said to national the water company everyone called him crazy and anti democratic now everyone started to feel the pain 😅😅😅

[@alanrogers9597]

He's got a PhD and loads of certificates. He's been doing the job for a while. So what's gone wrong ?? does he know all the fish dying in the Wye ?? does he care ??

[@diabeticguy]

Kudos to Richard.

[@helicoptergunship]

National water company shareholders and CEOs have been living like royalty for years off our money. This is what happens when you privatize a public ulility.

[@torikeen5630]

Those of us under south west water will be paying an extra £80+ as we lost the £50 subsidy for having both coastlines

[@davdrgn]

Raise there game! Raise there profits more like. Chris can talk, BS mostly but his probably skimming off the profits

[@jamesrashbrook9485]

The water industry has been privatised for 35 year's so why didn't they replace the infrastructure at 3% a year and it would be up to date today....why are we paying a second time?

[@Chosen1-g6w]

Will BOYCOTT water and Buy my water from the shop ! It would be cheaper. 36% are you serious ?!?

[@adamrubinson6875]

"I think we're going to have to remive the profit motive from this industry". It's more likely that pigs start flying

[@davidclarke6329]

Ok so who gets sacked for the years of neglect while "dividends" "bonuses" were paid out instead of invested into infrastructure.

[@zahirmulla6715]

It rains everyday! They don’t even need to buy the product they sell to us

[@Alasad6454]

This blokes a disgrace. U can tell he's the sort of guy that owns 6 pairs of socks but only wears 2.

[@andrepinto5826]

We already have shity water, and some contaminated, NOW water bill increase. Fed up with the UK!!!

[@mosreviews4484]

Who’d have thought privatisation doesn’t work - their goal is to make money for shareholders- we are just the mugs paying for it

[@turingtrading5301]

Stop the water companies paying dividends until they have profits to pay for maintenance, future upgrading and ensure the operation of their respective systems. Fergal absolutely right as to what should happen

[@CT-ud7yk]

Stop saying "You understand" You don't.

[@elliot15-s2f]

FT have been covering this story for the last 6 months. When Thames Water was privatised in 1989, it had no debt. But over the years it borrowed heavily and is currently £15.2bn in debt, by one measure. A large proportion of that was added when Macquarie, an Australian infrastructure bank, owned Thames Water, reaching over £10bn when the company was sold in 2017. Thank Maggie Thatcher for this one...