Committee publication · Correspondence · 13 May 2025
Correspondence to Heidi Mottram, CEO, Northumbrian Water 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 Northumbrian Water CEO Heidi Mottram requesting detailed information on remuneration models, dividend policies, legal and advertising expenditure, and asset replacement rates. The Committee seeks cross-industry understanding of these matters arising during its water sector reform inquiry.
Key findings
- Committee concerns about bonus culture, dividend payments, and varying standards across the water sector warrant detailed disclosure of remuneration committee composition and senior executive bonus policies
- Committee seeks five-year breakdown of bill payer money spent on advertisements and legal action against regulators (Ofwat, Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate)
- Committee investigating whether asset replacement rates are sufficiently high across the sector, requesting Northumbrian Water's Asset Management Period 7 replacement rates
Tone
ProceduralTopics
water-sector-reformcorporate-governanceexecutive-remunerationregulatory-oversightinfrastructure-investment
Key actors
Heidi Mottram, Northumbrian Water, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, 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 a pplied.”
Key Quotes
“My Committee remains concerned about the culture of bonuses and paying dividends and the varying standards being a pplied.”
“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 Inspectora te.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗