Local leaders have reacted in dismay to the Labour Government’s latest cut, which will see the annual £50 Government-funded annual rebate for customers of South West Water ended from 2025.
The rebate was first introduced under the Conservative-led Government in 2013 to recognise the high cost of water bills in the region due to its unique geography. At the recent General Election, the Conservative Party had pledged to extend it for the length of the current Parliament if successfully returned to Parliament.
Now Labour’s Water Minister, Emma Hardy has said that ‘the taxpayer-funded contribution to the water and sewerage bills of South West Water (SWW) household customers will end after 31 March 2025.’
Cllr Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council, said:
“I am deeply disturbed to see the Labour Government’s continued and relentless attacks on the people of the southwest, gleefully taking actions that will disproportionately impact upon the people of Cornwall.”
“Our former Cornish Conservative MPs worked hard to passionately and successfully to make the case to the Conservative Government to introduce and maintain the much-welcomed £50 annual government-funded rebate for South West Water’s customers and the Government listened and maintained it for 11 years from 2013. £50 that came straight off people’s bills.”
“However on taking power the Labour Government has been quick to action and remove this subsidy. Along with its attacks on older people with the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment, working people with the raising of national insurance contributions paid by employers, and family farms with changes to inheritance tax, this disgraceful Labour Government is showing there are no depths it will not plumb in its quest to damage the communities and areas we represent.”
“And when the Government is asked to justify their actions, we are told ‘that’s just the way it is’.”
“This simply is not good enough, but with our Labour Cornish MPs towing the Government line, as always, I will continue to speak out and condemn their reckless and damaging actions when it is merited. The people of Cornwall deserve better than these Starmer sycophants!”
ENDS
