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'Morally bankrupt' Yorkshire Water bosses must go, says Harrogate MP

Monday, 13 July 2026 07:47

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Local MP Tom Gordon has branded Yorkshire Water "morally bankrupt" and renewed his call for the company's chief executive Nicola Shaw to resign following the publication of its latest annual report.

The Liberal Democrat MP says the report paints a concerning picture, with pollution incidents increasing by 72% over the past year, rising from 151 to 260.

The report also shows Yorkshire Water has been hit with £88.8 million in penalties from Ofwat for missing performance targets and expects to receive the Environment Agency's lowest one-star rating later this year.

According to the accounts, Ms Shaw received an additional payment from Yorkshire Water's Jersey-registered parent company, Kelda Holdings, alongside her remuneration from Yorkshire Water.

The report also reveals chief financial officer Martin Gee and former finance chief Paul Inman received six-figure payments from Kelda.

Ms Shaw and Mr Gee declined six-figure bonuses this year.

The company also paid £81 million in dividends to shareholders, while its debt rose above £7.5 billion and revenues increased to £1.6 billion following higher customer bills.

Tom Gordon MP said:

"This latest report confirms what the people of Yorkshire have known for years: Yorkshire Water are morally bankrupt.

"Pollution incidents up 72 per cent in a single year, £88.8m in penalties from Ofwat, and a one-star rating from the Environment Agency on the way - yet the company still found millions in dividends for its foreign shareholders all while debt soared and customers' bills went up.

"And the offshore payments continue, with it now confirmed Jersey-based Kelda Holdings made similar payments to finance chiefs too. To the public these appear to be bonuses by the back door."

He added:

"I have already called on Nicola Shaw to resign, and every page of this report strengthens that case.

"She should go – and if she won't, Ofwat must take another look at these Kelda payments. Yorkshire deserves so much better."

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