MK Lib Dems slam Anglian Water as bosses rake in more than £2 million pounds

Recently, it was revealed that Anglian Water paid their executives an eye-watering £2,424,555 in pay and perks last year.

A new analysis of Company House records has revealed the country’s water industry paid out a staggering £10 million in executive salaries last year, the highest on record.

Last year, Anglian Water rewarded their 2 executives with almost £1million in base pay, bonuses, and pensions.

This is despite the firm pumping raw sewage into open water in Milton Keynes dozens of times in 2022.

Figures from the Environment Agency show storm overflows were used 67 times within Milton Keynes’ local authority boundaries in 2022, discharging for a total of around 500 hours.

Since 2020, the executives at the water firm have paid themselves more than £8 million pounds in pay and perks.

MK Lib Dems have called for a ban on all CEO bonuses within the water industry, as well as the firms to be reformed as “public benefit companies.” The reforms would put an end to the profit before the environment and ensure their boards include environmental experts. 

Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Robin Bradburn, said:

“Our local waterways are being pumped full of raw disgusting sewage, all whilst Anglian Water hand themselves insulting pay-outs. The whole thing stinks. These salaries and perks have reached eye-watering levels, yet Conservative Ministers refuse to act.”

Councillor Robert Exon who sits on the Internal Drainage Board, added:

“It is shocking that there was no mention whatsoever of sewage in the King’s Speech. It’s time that Anglian Water stopped putting profits and bonuses before the environment. The firm is clearly not working how it should and is not listening to local concerns on sewage discharges.”

Councillor Bradburn, concluded:

“This country’s water industry has become a gravy train where sewage and money flows freely. This is a scandal and happening on the Government’s watch. When will Conservative Ministers finally get tough on these polluting and profiteering firms?”