As a long-time campaigner for cleaner water, Charlie has been working with groups such as Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) to end the scandal of sewage spills in our local rivers. This has remained a priority for him in Parliament and he raises it frequently with Government Ministers.

 Some examples of Charlie’s recent work to clean up our water:

• Charlie gave evidence to the High Court urging them to stop Thames Water taking on another £3bn of debt. Charlie does not think this is fair on customers as ultimately households will pay for this debt through higher household bills. Already more than a quarter of household water bills are spent just on interest payments for Thames Waters’ debts.  This money is desperately needed to improve services to our homes and clean up our rivers. Charlie’s evidence was covered in the local and national press including: BBC News, Oxford Mail, The Guardian
• Charlie has spoken out against Thames Waters’ request to raise household bills by even more than 35% over the next five years. Charlie has been clear that 35% is far more than enough – especially when so much of our bills are already being spent on sky-high interest rates and advisory fees. Customers should not be made to pay the price for the water company’s financial mess.
• Charlie sat on the Committee which scrutinised and amended the Government’s Water (Special Measures) Bill as it was going through Parliament. He tabled a total of 44 proposals to improve protections for our lakes, rivers and seas, and toughen up penalties for water companies when they fail. To watch one of Charlie’s speeches on the Bill click here.
• Flooding is a huge challenge in our constituency. Charlie has pressed the Government for action to tackle this, including asking them to review the Environment Agency’s ‘main river designation’. This has caused problems in Northmoor and Bablock Hythe and contributes to the terrible flooding residents have experienced.