New Clause 19 - Civil penalties: equivalent reduction to customer bills

Water (Special Measures) Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 6:00 pm on 28 January 2025.

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Votes in this debate

“(1) The Secretary of State must make provision for any monetary penalties imposed on a water company to result in equivalent reductions to the amounts charged to customers by the relevant water company.

(2) In fulfilling its duties under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must arrange, annually—

(a) for the total amount of monetary penalties imposed on a water company in the previous year to be calculated;

(b) for that total to be divided by the number of customers of the water company;

(c) for each customer’s next bill from the water company to be reduced by that figure.

(3) Any reduction applied under this section must be indicated on a customer’s statement of account.

(4) In this section, ‘water company’ has the meaning given by section 6(5).”—(Victoria Atkins.)

This new clause would provide for any fines imposed on water companies to result in equivalent reductions to customers’ bills.

Brought up.

Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill.

Division number 94 Water (Special Measures) Bill Report Stage: New Clause 19

Aye: 178 MPs

No: 325 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

The House divided: Ayes 180, Noes 325.

Question accordingly negatived.