Gordon Brown Refuses to Discuss Unfair Water Bills

11.12.03am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd Jun 2006

Gordon Brown has refused to meet a cross party delegation of MPs to discuss unfair water bills

Gordon Brown has refused to meet a cross party delegation of South West MPs to discuss the ongoing Westcountry water bills crisis.

Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in March this year on behalf of all MPs in the South West, requesting a meeting. Today she has learnt that he is not prepared to hold such a meeting and has instead passed the letter on to Defra for their attention.

Ms Goldsworthy today said:

"The Chancellor's refusal to meet a cross-party delegation of MPs is symbolic of the way in which this Government continues to neglect the concerns of the people of the South West. The fact that Gordon Brown won't even recognise the unfairness of the extortionately high water bills in the region simply goes to show how out of touch with local people he is.

"I will be pursuing Parliamentary channels in order to press this matter on the Chancellor and to ensure that he properly explains why he does not believe that the current situation requires action from his Department. I have today also written to Ian Pearson, the new Defra Minister, in order to request a meeting as a matter of urgency."

Adrian Sanders, Lib Dem MP for Torbay, who earlier this year presented a Private Member's Bill to put a top limit on water and sewerage charges in the South West, commented:

"This does not reflect well on the man who wishes to take over from Tony Blair. The Chancellor holds the key to easing the pressure on the over stretched budgets of local low income households in Devon and Cornwall".

Colin Breed, Lib Dem MP for SE Cornwall, added:

"Gordon Brown promised in the Commons that he would look into water poverty in the South West; however he is clearly not a man of his word as he is not prepared to meet any of us, and has instead passed the buck onto Defra officials.

"Defra are supposedly carrying out an investigation, but I will not hold my breath for any positive outcome for any customers in the South West."