Speeches by Tufnell.

“Yorkshire Water is the only major company in 2023-24 to see an increase in the per capita water consumption and your reduction targets were not being met. Why is it proving such a challenge for you in terms of that water consumption?”

“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?”

“Yorkshire Water is the only major company in 2023-24 to see an increase in the per capita water consumption and your reduction targets were not being met. Why is it proving such a challenge for you in terms of that water consumption?”

“I am conscious that we have covered a lot of this already, particularly about the financial implications of the BTOM and the impact on small and medium-sized businesses. We have also discussed how the financial burden could be reduced while maintaining biosecurity. Nichola, have there been any changes in behaviour from…”

“Building on that point about consistency and port health authorities, is there consistency in the way that DEFRA and the APHA are interpreting the rules and guidance?”

“We have some information here about the APHA. Some staff are more flexible others and sometimes there is surprise additional testing. Is that something that you recognise?”

“Just moving on, we have talked a lot about Sevington. Josh talked about Bastion Point as well. Can you comment on the 22-mile journey? Do you have any concerns about non-attendance and the potential risks involved in that?”

“I want to ask about replacement rates. The Committee has heard from Ofwat that the current replacement rate is around 0.1%, and there is acceptance that that is not fast enough and that the correct rate would be something between 0.8% and 1%. At the moment, in terms of the price review, it is 0.4%. It was interesting t…”

“Can I ask about the enhancement expenditure—the investment in infrastructure to improve services, which I think you have underspent by 16%? You gave evidence earlier that you are appealing the decision on that rate. Why, and what impact is that having?”

“Can you comment on the 0.8%, 1%, or what was pointed out by Severn Trent in respect of the replacement rate being the same as the railways? How does the industry as a whole view that replacement rate?”

“Can I ask about the enhancement expenditure—the investment in infrastructure to improve services, which I think you have underspent by 16%? You gave evidence earlier that you are appealing the decision on that rate. Why, and what impact is that having?”

“Can you comment on the 0.8%, 1%, or what was pointed out by Severn Trent in respect of the replacement rate being the same as the railways? How does the industry as a whole view that replacement rate?”

“More than 40 countries and holiday destinations around the world have introduced a form of visitor levy, including Greece, Amsterdam, Barcelona and California. What work is the Secretary of State doing with the Welsh Government to support our vital tourism industry?”

“I want to ask about replacement rates. The Committee has heard from Ofwat that the current replacement rate is around 0.1%, and there is acceptance that that is not fast enough and that the correct rate would be something between 0.8% and 1%. At the moment, in terms of the price review, it is 0.4%. It was interesting t…”

“Except that there were 56,000 cubic metres of sewage being pumped into the Cleddau from 2022 to 2024. I appreciate there was no uptick in pay in 2023 but there was still an uptick in pay in 2024. During that time, there was the environmental performance and the effect on my constituents in Pembrokeshire, the impact on …”

“You have touched on customer satisfaction and how important that is. I appreciate that you are comparing it with your competitors at a positive level, but the point that is quite concerning is the score is declining. Do you think that is in relation to your environmental performance and that it is affecting your custom…”