The irony meter must be peaking like one of South West Water’s storm overflow monitors.
Former East Devon Conservative MP Simon Jupp, who was an outspoken critic of the utility firm, has taken a job with its parent company, Pennon, advising on community engagement.
During his time as an MP Mr Jupp did plenty of mud-slinging at South West Water, usually over the frequent reports of sewage spills in his constituency’s coastal towns. He constantly accused the company of under-investing in the area and overcharging bill payers. He was particularly vocal about the problems in Exmouth including disruption caused by broken sewage pipes, and repeated discharges of untreated waste into the sea from storm overflows.
In the run-up to the 2024 general election, Simon Jupp accused South West Water of ‘environmental vandalism’ and described its performance as ‘shameful’.
He also praised his Conservative government’s commitment to holding water companies to account, saying they should face ‘hefty fines’ for illegal sewage pollution.
His move to Pennon has been described as ‘a gamekeeper MP turned water company poacher’ by the charity River Action. Chief executive James Wallace compared it to the 2023 news of regulator Ofwat’s former head, Cathryn Ross, becoming a director at Thames Water.
Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, agrees:
“The water industry is broken, and this is yet another example of just how broken the system is. Frankly, the whole thing stinks.
“The revolving door between water companies, regulators and government has to come to an end.”
Sewage discharges continue as bills go up
Maybe Mr Jupp will be better placed to make improvements in his new role within Pennon? Perhaps that’s why he’s taken the job?
This is certainly a challenging time for his new employer, and the water industry as a whole.
A hefty rise in water bills across England, Scotland and Wales took effect in April– an average increase of 28 per cent for South West Water customers. Just a few days earlier, the Environment Agency released its data on sewage spills in 2024, revealing a record overall duration of storm overflow discharges by water companies into rivers and seas. South West Water was the worst offender with 544,439 hours in 2024.
In response to the data, Giles Bristow, CEO at Surfers Against Sewage said:
“Ignore the industry spin: there is zero justification for sewage pollution at this sickening scale and April’s bill rises are simply forcing a cash-strapped public to throw good money after bad. We’re a year on, and the numbers show that nothing has changed. The picture is just as bleak. Despite commitments to investment over the past five years, our water is no cleaner.
“The simple truth is the public’s trust is long gone, and the only course left is radical reform and the end of profit from pollution.”
Richard Foord MP said:
“Instead of continuing to pay shareholders and senior management enormous dividends and salaries, the company must fully invest in its creaking infrastructure using those proceeds. We’re at this point due to years of neglect.”
South West Water has promised to invest more than £700 million in reducing storm overflows across its operating area between 2025 and 2030, as part of a £3.2 billion pound spend during that period. But critics say much of the £700 million work programme is long overdue, and some projects that should already have been completed are running behind schedule.
The public don’t trust water companies
In response to South West Water’s business plans for 2025-30 – including the increase in bills – the Consumer Council for Water warned that the company needs to live up to its promises.
Head of Company Engagement Catherine Jones said:
“As water bills rise in the South West, so will customers’ expectations of what they get in return for their money and for people across the region few things are more important than a clean, healthy water environment.
“So many people’s lives and livelihoods are closely tied to the coastline and they need to see South West Water deliver on its commitment to reduce pollution and clean up bathing waters.
“The company also needs to ensure its day-to-day services are more robust and reliable through strengthening its network and ensuring there is always enough water to go around and that fewer people suffer the misery of sewer flooding.
“Much of this will depend on the company securing new sources of water, upgrading pipes and treatment plants and ensuring its sewer network has enough capacity to reduce the harm caused by storm overflows.”
“Customers are already experiencing the cost of this work through April’s bill rises and the company has to deliver on its commitments if trust in it is going to be restored.”
Having been a politician, Mr Jupp will be used to dealing with mistrust from members of the public, so that experience should be useful. It’s likely that his new job will bring him into contact with South West Water customers, although Pennon also operates in other areas including Bristol and Bournemouth.
A spokesperson for Pennon told West Country Voices:
“Yes, Simon is working for Pennon, reporting to our Chief People Officer as part of our regional development team. He is advising the business on community engagement across all the areas we serve, reflecting our commitment to strengthening relationships with the communities we live and work in.”
The company chose not to comment on the views Simon Jupp expressed as an MP – but perhaps that’s all water under the bridge now.
