Isle of Wight West Labour MP, Richard Quigley, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that unfair bonuses for senior executives at Southern Water are being banned with immediate effect.
The move comes as part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, following the introduction of tough new legislation aimed at holding water companies to account.
Tackling sewage pollution
During the 2024 election campaign, Richard Quigley MP made tackling sewage pollution a central issue of his campaign after hearing frequently from Islanders that they were being denied the full enjoyment of their coastline due to the unacceptable levels of sewage being discharged into the sea.
Under the previous Conservative Government, communities across Isle of Wight West suffered repeated sewage contamination. In 2023 alone, a shocking 17,340 hours of sewage was discharged along the Island’s coastline—including more than 5,000 hours in Cowes—with no accountability for those in charge.
£5.4 million in bonuses and incentives over past decade
Despite this environmental damage, Southern Water awarded more than £5.4 million in bonuses and incentives to senior staff over the past decade, including £312,000 in bonuses last year alone.
In contrast, the Labour Government is taking decisive action.
The Plan for Change includes tougher regulation, stronger enforcement, and a record £104 billion in private investment over the next five years. This investment will help reduce sewage discharges and clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas once and for all.
Banned from awarding bonuses
Under the new rules introduced by the landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, companies like Southern Water are now banned from awarding bonuses to executives who preside over poor environmental performance or failing customer outcomes.
Labour’s Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, said,
“Cleaning up our rivers, lakes, and seas after 14 years of shameful Conservative failure is essential to this Labour Government’s Plan for Change.
“Water company bosses, just like anyone else, should only receive bonuses for good performance—certainly not if they’ve failed to tackle water pollution. That’s why Labour is banning undeserved bonuses with immediate effect, delivering on the promise we made at the General Election.”
We’re putting the public and the environment first
Richard Quigley MP added,
“Almost everyone I’ve spoken to on the Island, whether during the 2024 campaign or since the election, has expressed real dismay at the level of sewage being pumped into our waters, and deep frustration at the lack of action in recent years.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to see the Labour Government taking decisive action on behalf of coastal communities, and finally holding water company bosses to account.
“Water bosses have shown time and again that they only act when their profits are at risk— so that’s exactly what this Government is doing. We’re putting the public and the environment first.”
News shared by the office of Richard Quigley MP. Ed
