Tom Gordon MP: “Government Finally Waking Up” to Water Industry Failings

Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrat MP, Tom Gordon, has cautiously welcomed reports that the Government may be preparing to overhaul Ofwat, the water industry regulator, calling it a long-overdue acknowledgement of the need for serious reform.

The Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned for tougher oversight of the water industry and were among the first to call for Ofwat to be replaced with a regulator that truly puts the environment and customers first.

Commenting on the reports, Tom Gordon MP said:

“If these reports are accurate, it’s a step in the right direction, but one that’s taken far too long. The Liberal Democrats have been calling for fundamental reform since 2022. My constituents, like water customers across Yorkshire, have had enough of sewage dumping, poor service, and soaring bills. They deserve better.”

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, local concerns have centred on sewage spills into the River Nidd, particularly at popular locations such as the Knaresborough Lido.

“For years, our rivers have suffered while regulators looked the other way. It’s high time the Government acted, and delivered a system that genuinely holds companies like Yorkshire Water to account.”

Tom Gordon reiterated the need for structural reform:

“This isn’t just about scrapping Ofwat, it’s about building a new regulator that is independent, effective, and focused on protecting our environment and the public interest, not the profits of water companies.”

The MP’s comments come as new figures this week reveal yet another rise in sewage discharges across the region.

“People across Harrogate, Knaresborough, and Yorkshire are rightly angry,” Tom added. “They want action, not empty promises. We will keep up the pressure until our waterways are clean, our communities are protected, and water companies are finally held responsible for the damage they’ve done.”

ENDS