We see through water firms' plans

Its literature states that most monthly bills will be reduced, that metering is needed as the region is water stressed and that the company is doing all of this for environmental purposes.

This enforced policy has been signed off by the hapless Defra.

There have been enough articles in the Star regarding utilities firms and their profiteering and it's laughable to think that the corporate suits expect us to believe they give a stuff about the environment or helping to reduce people's bills.

This is about profit, pure and simple and using their monopoly to squeeze more from already economically stressed households.

Even the idea that we live in a water stressed region is not proven, as meteorologists are now stating that climate change is likely to bring more rain, especially in the summer and have talked about people having to adapt to flood warnings etc.

The reason for this letter is that I'm sure that there are other readers of the Star in the Southern Water catchment area who may be dismayed by this incompetent company and may wish to jointly look at the legal basis for enforced water metering and whether it may contravene a citizen's rights.

Also I would be interested to know from any readers with a legal background as to whether Defra and Southern Water can legally force upon households a mechanism that will undoubtedly cause higher bills and economic hardship for the many in order to boost profits and bonuses for the few.

Gary Jones

Brighton