§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of proposals to establish a national water 375W bill collection system to pay to meet the costs of the coastal and bathing water clean-up under the EU Bathing Water Directive. [135143]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government have no plans for national water charges. The costs of water services in each area reflects the regional or local costs of providing those services in a sustainable way. Any national system of bills to pay for some or all of water companies' obligations would involve cross-subsidy of some companies by the customers of others. This would reduce the incentives and responsibility on companies to deliver services efficiently.
In taking decisions on environmental programmes, we will continue to take into account the individual circumstances and levels of charges in each company area.