Contributions
247 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)We wish to press the new clause to a Division. Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)We all welcome one another, but I meant the fact sheet. I really appreciate your going to the trouble of putting it together; I thank your team as well. I have read it diligently…16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)On that point, may I intervene?16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)That may be a chink of light, because all I have heard from the Government so far is “Only private companies welcome here.” My understanding is that the Cunliffe review’s remit…16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)What I really like about our proposal is that the companies are coming out of special administration, so it does not cost anybody anything: the equity of the shareholders has been…16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fifth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. Good morning, everyone. I will highlight two key points about new clause 28, which concerns what happens when companies that…16 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Will the Minister give way?14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)The change in wording would mean that the clause states: “The Secretary of State may make modifications of the conditions of the company’s appointment so that they include…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Well, compared with the creditors, but I am advocating that the debt providers take the hit.14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion. Clause, by leave, withdrawn. New Clause 26 Rules about performance-related pay “(1) The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)I will be brief. We just want to highlight the five-year price review and the shoehorning in of that time period. It might have worked for Lenin—maybe not—but we do not think it…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)It is very kind of the Minister to have so much faith in, and be so charitable towards, Ofwat, given its record over the last decade or two, particularly with regard to its…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)We are seeking for the debt providers to take the hit. They have gone into this process and been part of the problem that has led to the state of our rivers today. They should be…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I think the Minister is confirming that consumers will pay for that shortfall. We are advocating that the creditors should pay. We are not looking to rewrite the Insolvency Act.…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)We are going backwards and forwards. I have made my point. The note here is clear—the Secretary of State is looking for moneys from the customers. I think the special…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)New clause 31 would make the process of putting a company into special administration much easier and clearer. There are two steps in the provision: making it easier to apply for…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)With respect, I feel that we are living in parallel universes. I will take Thames Water as an example, whose debt is 14 times the level of its cash flows. The Minister is saying…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This is a very nuts and bolts thing. I believe we are here to try to make a better water sector. I will rattle through the…14 Jan 2025HANSARDWater (Special Measures) Bill [ Lords ] (Fourth sitting)Frankly, it is pretty worrying that we do not have maps of sewer networks around the country. That is a pretty fundamental thing that we would want a water utility company to…14 Jan 2025