Letter to the Editor: I take on Severn Trent
Dear Sir, In previous correspondence I have called for the government to pass a Prices Act to restrain price increases by law. I am engaged in a personal campaign against the greed that capitalism perpetuates. If prices rise higher than the rate of inflation, then that is greed.
At the moment I am in dispute with Severn Trent Water, their inability to communicate with me means that for months I have not paid them anything.
They increased prices by 23% in April, my increase in pension from the state is 4.8%. In contrast to Severn Trent, English Heritage membership has increased at the rate of inflation, and so I have renewed with them.
My neighbour and I are asking Severn Trent for a printed statement as our direct debits seem too high. Severn Trent do not have adequate phone lines, I was waiting an hour and five minutes to speak to someone. Another time when I was told I was number 20 in the queue, I put the phone down, cancelled my direct debit, hoping that they would sit up!
Two letters later, Severn Trent refuse to phone me and talk to me as a human being. Is the lack of staff just another way to make share they get maximum returns for their shareholders?
I have read how due to it being a health hazard, your water supply cannot be cut off. I hope more people take action to make Severn Trent realise that we are not merely their cash cows but people who want a quality service now.
I remember how many years ago a man of Christian faith said to me that we should not have to pay for water because God send it from the sky. Hopefully the government will make water a free service to all residents, and then hopefully we can move on to the question of energy!
Yours,
Adrian Rimington
3, Horsley Close
Chesterfield.