Andrew George MP has pledged his support for WaterAid’s Water Works campaign which aims to bring safe water and sanitation to the world’s poorest people.

Mr George recently made his pledge at a House of Commons event hosted by Northumbrian Water for WaterAid on the day that the United Nations announced that the Millennium Development Goal on water has been reached. An additional 2 billion people have accessed clean water within the last 20 years.

Mr George said “It is great news that we have met the Millennium Development Goal on water – this shows that aid is working and that we are making steps forward to eradicating poverty.

“There is still much work to be done however, as 783 million people still don’t have safe water to drink, and around 2.5 billion are lacking adequate sanitation. Not having these essential services traps people in poverty. The UK has a lead role to play along with other countries to concentrate our efforts on bringing water and sanitation to all.”

WaterAid now works in 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific Region, improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Since WaterAid was founded 30 years ago, it has reached nearly 16 million people with safe water and 11 million with sanitation.

Originally posted on 15.12.09

Following initial discussions last week local MP and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Water, Andrew George, will arrange talks between his fellow MPs, the water regulator (Ofwat) Regina Finn and Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MP to press the case for a national tariff to bring down South West Water customer’s bills.

Mr George is arranging the meeting after the recent publication of the Anna Walker Review on Water Charging. The review proposes, for the first time, methods to address the legacy of South West water rate payers having to pay substantially higher bills than the rest of the country. Anna Walker proposed either through a one off Government cash injection, a charge to all water rate payers nationwide or an additional summer usage charge. Anna Walker’s Review proposes a number of other options for the Government and for OFWAT, the industry regulator.

On the publishing of the Walker Report Mr George said: “When the Conservatives privatised the water boards they created a risk-free money making concern where water company shareholders could effectively plan their future years’ dividends.

“I welcome Anna Walker’s recommendations. The ball is now firmly in the Government’s court. It is highly unlikely that any Government will agree any additional public expenditure in the present climate.

“However, local water rate payers have to pay for meeting the costs of cleaning and maintaining our bathing beaches. These are a national asset. Local people have to pay for this. It’s like asking just the tax payers of London to solely pay for the British Museum or the National Gallery just because it’s on their doorstep.

“Water companies withstood a windfall profit tax, so they can withstand a charge which reasonably spreads the cost of maintaining Britain’s bathing beaches. It would be a small charge – about £1.50p – far less than the £150 higher than average bills which South West Water customers have been paying over the years.”

In his role as Secretary of the APPG on Water Mr George is arranging the meeting for the new year.