Committee publication · Correspondence · 13 May 2025
Correspondence to Louise Beardmore, CEO, United Utilities regarding Reforming the water sector inquiry, dated 13 May 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee writes to Louise Beardmore, CEO of United Utilities, seeking detailed information on executive remuneration, dividend policies, and spending on legal fees and advertising. The committee expresses concern about bonus culture, varying industry standards, and bill payer money spent on legal action against regulators and advertisements.
Key findings
- Committee remains concerned about bonuses and dividend-paying culture with varying standards across the sector
- Request for information on remuneration committee selection, senior executive bonus policies, and dividend policies linked to company performance
- Committee concerned about bill payer funds spent on advertisements and legal action against Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate
- Request for five-year breakdown of spending on legal fees and advertisements, with rationale for expenditure
Tone
ProceduralTopics
water-regulationexecutive-remunerationdividend-policycorporate-governancepublic-spending
Key actors
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Louise Beardmore, United Utilities, Ofwat, Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate
Notable line
“My Committee remains concerned about the culture of bonuses and paying dividends and the varying standards being applied .”
Key Quotes
“My Committee remains concerned about the culture of bonuses and paying dividends and the varying standards being applied .”
“My Committee is also concerned about bill payer money being spent on advertisements and legal action against Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗