ENVIRONMENT Secretary Steve Reed yesterday slammed Southern Water’s boss for accepting a £691,000 pay hike.
Lawrence Gosden, who has run the embattled utility firm since 2022, was awarded the “long-term incentive” scheme on top of his £687,000 salary.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed slammed Southern Water’s boss for accepting a pay hikeReuters
Despite only receiving half the bumper bonus so far, Mr Gosden’s total earnings have soared past the £1million mark.
Steve Reed said the that the payout was “not deserved” and “sends the wrong message” as customer trust plummets.
He said: “Trust is at rock bottom.
“Southern Water hasn’t performed well enough for that kind of pay.
“He should give it up.”
The backlash comes just weeks after Southern Water was banned from paying bonuses following a sewage spill in the New Forest, an environmental breach known as a category one incident.
Under new government rules, firms that pollute or fail to meet standards can’t dish out bonuses.
But Southern Water has insisted Mr Gosden’s payout isn’t a “bonus” but part of a performance-linked scheme launched in 2023.
Southern Water boss Lawrence Gosden accepted a a £691,000 pay hike on top of his £687,000 salaryPA Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
