Plans to double the compensation that companies including Thames Water must pay in the event of disrupted services have been welcomed by Newbury’s MP. A consultation is currently open, seeking views on the proposals. Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs Steve Reed said households and businesses will be entitled to higher compensation rates from water companies, and in a wider range of circumstances when basic water services are hit. This includes automatic payments for boil notices when drinking water standards drop, or when water companies fail to conduct meter readings …
