THAMES TIDEWAY TUNNEL

That this House notes the proposed increase of £80 in Thames Water bills indefinitely to fund the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which means a rise of 24 per cent in the current average water bill for Thames Water customers; further notes that the Government is considering underwriting the scheme, which will leave taxpayers liable for the risks of the tunnel construction; is concerned that Thames Water does not have the financial strength to finance the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel with its own resources; further notes that over the last five years Thames Water has paid dividends of £1.18 billion to its owners and that in the last two years dividends have exceeded profit, causing Thames Water to borrow money in order to pay out dividends; further notes that since being bought by the Macquarie Infrastructure Fund long-term debt in Thames Water has increased by £4 billion which has been used primarily to pay off debts owed by the holding companies rather than invest in the water and sewerage network; further notes that this increased borrowing has lowered Thames Water's tax liability so that the company has not paid corporation tax in two years; further notes that the Macquarie Infrastructure Fund which controls Thames Water is based in an offshore tax haven; believes that the taxpayer and Thames Water's 13 million customers should not pay for Thames Water's irresponsible financial management; and calls on the Government and Ofwat to require a substantial contribution from Thames Water's shareholders towards all measures to clean up the Thames.