Speeches by Tufnell.

“We talked about the EFRA Select Committee reports. I sit on the EFRA Committee and, in terms of endorsing those recommendations, I wonder what the position is from FUW. Have you seen the report and the recommendations? What is your view of them?”

“Well, just for the sake of transparency and accountability—there we go.”

“As my hon. Friend knows, I represent the constituency of Mid and South Pembrokeshire, which is closer to Dublin than it is to London. Does he agree about the importance of maintaining and enhancing trade links? He will be aware of the ferry from Pembroke Dock in my constituency to the harbour of Rosslare and the import…”

“rose—”

“Mr Poole, I am conscious that you have your hand up. I wonder whether practical examples from Cardiff council would be helpful.”

“Professor Crescenzi, do you have anything more to add on the data point?”

“Thank you; that is very helpful. I want to move on to the investment landscape, particularly from a Government point of view. We have talked a lot about the individual phone line, and I am conscious that there might be some duplication, but if you look across all the different networks in respect of UK government, you …”

“Are you doing anything in Cardiff in response to that?”

“I have a question about monitoring inward investments. We have already touched on the data. I am conscious that there are limitations on that data, particularly when you look at Wales in terms of the devolved areas and in rural locations as well. How could the Government address those limitations? Mr Gardiner, if you c…”

“Mr Poole, I want to follow up on what you said about inward investment in the 1970s. You remarked about different countries and their ability to invest. I want to compare that with what Professor Crescenzi mentioned earlier about the link into Europe and how that has had a dramatic impact since Brexit. Will you comment…”

“Professor Crescenzi, you were talking a lot about Brexit and the ’08 financial crisis, but those big economic factors would implicate Scotland, Northern Ireland, England—across the board—as has just been talked about. Are you able to give a bit more context as to why Wales would be particularly susceptible to those thi…”

“Professor Crescenzi and Ms Williams, do you have anything further to say about that?”

“Professor Crescenzi, do you say there is no conflict between focusing on the local and an increase in competition between localities, rather than having a more national approach?”

“Lastly, before I hand over, I want to talk about customer complaints. The Consumer Council for Water has ranked you among the worst water companies at handling customer complaints, and there has been a rise. Complaints have risen by 90% and those referred to the CCW rose by 29% in 2023-24. Why have complaints risen so …”

“I wanted to touch on supply interruptions first. All water companies are expected to have an average interruption length of about five minutes and 23 seconds per property. In 2023-24, Yorkshire Water was about double that, at 10 minutes and 35 seconds on average. I was wondering why that was the case and what you were …”

“Why did you not set up any water stations?”

“Why did Ofwat and the CCW have to intervene in April 2024 over payments in respect of compensation? Why were you not more proactive?”

“Can we go back to your record of supply interruptions? Perhaps I should have phrased the questions one after the other.”

“Can I quickly touch on the internal sewer flooding incidence? You are above the level that all companies are expected to meet in terms of the incidence per 10,000 sewer connections. Ofwat has stated that you have not spent what you were forecast to spend over 2020 to 2025 on reducing that flooding risk. Why is that?”

“Lastly, before I hand over, I want to talk about customer complaints. The Consumer Council for Water has ranked you among the worst water companies at handling customer complaints, and there has been a rise. Complaints have risen by 90% and those referred to the CCW rose by 29% in 2023-24. Why have complaints risen so …”