Medway Liberal Democrats call for Sewage Tax on Southern Water after £138.8 million profit revealed
Medway Liberal Democrats have called for a 'Sewage Tax' on water companies to fund the cleaning up of rivers polluted by sewage dumps.
It comes as the Liberal Democrats have revealed Southern Water made a staggering £138.8 million in operating profits last year. The figures, taken from Company House records, also show the water firm made £819.8 million in revenue.
Liberal Democrats have demanded a new tax on water companies' profits after repeated sewage dumps. The 'Sewage Tax' of 16% on water companies would create an emergency fund for cleaning up rivers. The policy was officially backed by the Liberal Democrats at their Spring Conference. New analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed Britain's nine water companies made a total £2.8bn in combined operating profits last year.
The move follows outrage at water companies discharging sewage into rivers over 400,000 times in 2020, according to the Environment Agency. Only 14% of England's rivers are in good ecological health, according to the Rivers Trust.
John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said: "These profits are absolutely scandalous. Our treasured local rivers have been polluted by disgusting sewage yet Southern Water is raking in massive profits without taking any action. People around Medway are furious at how badly Southern Water treat our local environment."
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP said: "An environmental disaster is taking place in our towns, cities and villages, yet the Government shows no signs of taking action."
"Last year the Government initially refused to ban sewage dumps in rivers, then they let water companies carry on as normal by failing to set meaningful timescales and targets. The very least they could do now is to force water companies to clean up their mess."
ENDS
Notes to editors