Last week's announcement on the Thames super-sewer stinks to high heaven.

Not only has the Government dithered for seven years before opting to back the essential upgrade, it now expects London households to foot the bill.

Water bills have already soared by nearly half since the Tories privatised it and it looks like the average household will have to shell out an extra £40 a year to fund the £2billion scheme. Lib Dems on the London Assembly want a better deal - fat cats at Thames Water should pay.

Last year Australian bank Macquarie bought Thames Water for £8 billion - the very definition of stinking rich.

Mike Tuffrey Lib Dem London Assembly Leader and Environment Spokesman