Committee publication · Correspondence · 4 March 2025
Correspondence from United Utilities regarding Reforming the water sector inquiry oral evidence, dated 26 February 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive Officer of United Utilities, writes to correct testimony given to the EFRA Committee on 26 February 2025 regarding legal fees. She initially stated no external legal support was used for an Information Commissioner's Office appeal on Lake Windermere Environmental Information Regulation requests, but subsequently discovered external counsel was engaged at a cost of £10,810 plus VAT.
Key findings
- United Utilities incurred £10,810 + VAT in external legal fees for an Information Commissioner's Office appeal on Lake Windermere EIR requests, contrary to oral evidence provided to the committee.
- The Chief Executive was unaware of the external legal support at the time of the hearing, believing the work had been handled entirely in-house.
- The correction is submitted at the earliest opportunity following discovery of the external procurement.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Louise Beardmore, United Utilities Water Limited, Alistair Carmichael MP, Helena Dollimore MP, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“I therefore wanted to correct my evidence in relation to this matter at the earliest opportunity.”
Key Quotes
“I apologise to the Committee that I was not aware of this at the time of the hearing as it was my understanding that this had been dealt with internally.”
“The cost of this support was £10,810+VAT.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗