Bonus ban for water chiefs in crackdown

WATER bosses from six companies will not be allowed to claim bonuses, as part of a government crackdown.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Under new rules, companies are not permitted to pay bonuses to water bosses if there have been poor environmental breaches or customer outcomes.

The rules come into force today, and the UK Government says it will mean bosses at Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities, and Southern Water are not permitted to receive bonuses with immediate effect.

It is backdated to apply to any bonuses relating to the financial year from April last year.

Neither of the companies which operate in Wales, Dŵr Cymru or Hafren Dyfrdwy, are impacted.

While both fall under the legislation, no Welsh companies have been deemed to have breached the new standards to the point at which bonuses can be withheld.

Welsh Water has faced criticism for spills and issues in Wales. Last month, as previously reported, it was fined £1.3m over 800 sewage breaches.