Time to halt huge hikes in water bills for Londoners - Tuffrey

1.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Mike Tuffrey, the leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Thames Water's record profits of more than £610 million, coupled with reported plans for an increase in household bills of more than 17% over the next five years said:

"With such high profits and at a time when most prices are falling, there can be no justification at all for Thames Water imposing steep increases in water bills.

"I welcome the investment in our crumbling Victorian pipes and tunnels, but there is no reason why today's customers should take the total hit for literally decades of underinvestment.

"With falling prices, including construction costs, Thames Water should have no difficulties in maintaining its investment programme with much lower price rises. Ofwat should not hesitate to put a brake on Thames Water's proposed price rises."

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