WELLINGTON’S MP Gideon Amos has slammed privatised water companies after Wessex Water asked the industry regulator for permission to charge customers even more for their services.

Wessex Water is one of six firms asking water regulator Ofwat to allow them to dish out higher bills to customers - which could impact thousands of people across Somerset.

Customers of Wessex Water are already set to see bills rise by £67 this April, an increase of around 13 per cent.

Mr Amos said: “I recognise that Wessex Water is one of the better run water companies but those which have got into debt to the tune of billions, while all the time rewarding themselves with massive bonuses and dividends, need a complete change of ownership.

“In my view, water should never have been sold off to private profiteering hands in the first place.

“We now want to see them turned into public interest companies with duties to invest in cleaning up our waterways instead of sending cash into their own pockets.

“I'm determined that, in Taunton, we get the investment we need to improve water quality in the Tone.

“Having recently got a new Environment Agency working group set up for the Tone, I'm optimistic we can get improvements.

“But for the industry as a whole, it's time the Government replaced the falling Ofwat with a regulator that will stop irresponsible debts being passed on to customers already trying to cope with a cost of living crisis.”

Wessex Water’s chief executive Ruth Jefferson said: “Secure, resilient water infrastructure is one of the cornerstones of the economic growth that is at the heart of Government strategy.”

“We have a strong case to put to the CMA for the additional allowances we need to continue delivering a water and sewerage system fit for the future.”