Robert Wilson, the 61-year-old chair of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), has been revealed to have twice used a young person's railcard to secure discounts on first-class train tickets he expensed last year. The former Conservative MP, who represents the independent body funded by water billpayers in England and Wales, claimed the 16-25 railcard discount on journeys in March and November, making first-class seats cheaper than standard fares.
Expense Reports Detail Questionable Claims
According to documents obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Wilson utilised the railcard to obtain a one-third discount on his first-class travel. The CCW permits first-class ticket expenses only when they are proven to be less expensive than standard class bookings. A 16-25 railcard, which costs £35 annually or £80 for three years, is specifically designed for individuals within that age range, offering them reduced fares on most train journeys.
CCW Response and Historical Context
A spokesman for the Consumer Council for Water stated that Mr Wilson 'mistakenly' selected the 16-25 Railcard option instead of his Network Railcard when booking tickets online. The error was reportedly identified on one occasion, and he subsequently paid the difference for that journey. The spokesman emphasised that first-class train travel is authorised only in exceptional circumstances where it is demonstrably cheaper than standard class, which was evidenced in both instances.
Mr Wilson, who served as the Conservative MP for Reading East from 2005 until his defeat in the 2017 election, had ministerial roles under Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May. He joined the CCW as an independent board member in July 2018 and was appointed its chair in June 2024. The Reading East constituency was abolished in the 2024 election, with its wards redistributed to two Labour-held constituencies.
Additional Expense Revelations
Further scrutiny of expense reports uncovered that Mr Wilson expensed lunches for mid-year performance reviews, including a £71.39 meal in December 2024 that featured two glasses of red wine. This adds to a history of controversial expense claims dating back to his time as an MP. In 2015, it was revealed that he claimed 9p for a 0.2-mile trip from his home to a neighbouring street and 13p for a 0.3-mile drive, distances that could have been walked in minutes.
Between 2010 and 2015, Mr Wilson submitted nearly 160 travel claims of less than £1. His CCW receipts show mileage claims as low as £1.80, though the full extent of his expenses remains unclear due to reportedly lost historic receipts. The Consumer Council for Water, which water companies are not legally obligated to engage with, faces potential replacement by a government-proposed ombudsman with enhanced powers, as outlined in plans set forth last year.
