Business of the House

Mims Davies Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend raises concerns that I am sure are felt by Members across the House. I will raise her concerns with the Secretary of State, but I also point out that Work and Pensions questions are later this month.

[Mims Davies (East Grinstead and Uckfield) (Con)]

Ofwat has thankfully moved from being “concerned” about repeated and widespread water outages in Sussex and Kent to taking action. Once again, this has significantly affected my constituents for the last five days in East Grinstead, Ashurst Wood and many Wealden villages. My constituents have seen this repeated failing, shambolic performance from South East Water previously. They want action and accountability. I respectfully ask the Leader of the House to make Government time available to discuss the impacts on the community, business, vulnerable people and livestock, as well as the challenges around compensation and performance for those affected. Some 2.3 million customers are “served” by this atrocious organisation.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The water supply shortages are an unacceptable failure by South East Water in every regard. We are holding the company to account and being clear with it that restoring supply must be its priority and that those affected must receive compensation. This is further evidence that the water system is broken. I could go on to talk about other companies, not least Thames Water. The hon. Lady may wish to table an urgent question, if appropriate, or apply for an Adjournment debate to raise these matters further. She rightly alluded to the fact that there needs to be a longer-term response, which is why we already have the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which includes the toughest enforcement powers in a decade. Those powers must be used.