Andy Burnham: "None of which is the bill payers’ fault, who should not be treated as a…"

Andy Burnham criticized water companies after more than a dozen were permitted to raise charges, arguing that billpayers should not absorb costs arising from others’ shortcomings. His comments came as Water UK chief executive David Henderson warned that an extended period without clarity might prompt a further credit downgrade and increase annual water costs by as much as £40. At a Moody’s conference, Henderson called on ministers to fill the top posts at a new regulator and spell out how the revised framework would operate. The dispute centers on who bears the cost of water companies’ debts and regulatory gaps, and whether those expenses are passed to households. Burnham said questionable charges would be challenged and repeated a pledge to examine giving the public more control and keeping bills down.