Utility Week - authoritative, impartial and essential reading for senior people within utilities, regulators and government
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/406126
UtILItY WeeK | 31st OctOber - 6th NOvember 2014 | 9 Interview T he final party conference season before next year's general election was an important one for Dan Rogerson. It was one that pushed the water minister, and the water industry, into the spotlight – as if the approach of winter and the threat of a repeat of last winter's flooding were not enough. Sitting relaxed in the small armchair in his ministe- rial office, the proud Liberal Democrat is certainly up for the fight – not only with Labour, but also with those of a blue political persuasion in the coalition. "We've done a hell of a lot more than what happened under the last government." A combative Rogerson, who is also an avid ambassa- dor for his North Cornwall constituency, is not willing to shy away from the clash the shadow environment secre- tary started at the annual political grandstanding event. Labour's Maria Eagle – who has set her sights on the top role in Rogerson's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – used her party's confer- ence in Manchester to state that the much touted "cost of living crisis" is impacting on water customers, with high bills. Her party, should Labour win the general election in May, would ensure the water companies are treat- ing their customers fairly, and would set up a national affordability scheme for those struggling to pay. This attack on the industry that Rogerson deals with on a daily basis is not one he is willing to just lie down and accept – not when political points can be scored. "I really think Labour is playing catch-up," he tells Utility Week. "They are trying to deal with the situa- tion as it was, when prices were much higher under the regime they le us, rather than where we are now. "It's not getting as much traction as they hoped it would, politically." And addressing the issue of social tariffs – and not wanting to be seen as sidestepping the issue – he says "it is important" for his department and the industry to make progress on helping those struggling to pay their bills, but only "where they're right and customers are supportive of that". He cites Northumbrian Water as a prime example of a water company that has repeatedly asked its customers whether it should offer a social tariff, but has "not got it past them". The issue of cost is a hot topic in the sector at the moment as Ofwat makes up its mind on the price review and the final determinations, due in December. This, Rogerson says, is "Ofwat's baby – and rightly so" but he is eager to highlight to role the coalition, and the Lib Dems, have had, adding: "I think the price review has shown that the framework we set as a government