Under proposals set out by the Prime Minister, the changes would include repealing the ban on public ownership introduced under Margaret Thatcher and form part of a wider 10-year plan to overhaul the UK’s water system.
Speaking after the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury, said: “I am really please with what has been announced and I have said this publicly and written about it that despite the measures that the government has taken on water, the public don’t feel we have gone far enough.
“So I am please to see us go where we are with the Prime Minister’s speech.
“I hope that it will provide some reassurance to the public that this government is taking this issue seriously.”
On Sunday Sean Woodcock spoke on a panel about water ownership, particularly in terms of Thames Water.
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Thames Water (Image: Thames Water)
He said: “People are rightly fed up of the failing industry, which has led to leaks in our town centre, high bills and sewage in streams.
“A new model of water ownership must directly tackle these problems, and be entirely focused on delivering for the public.
“Whilst I welcome Government action on this so far, it hasn’t yet gone far enough.
“I look forward to seeing future proposals that recognise the scale of public anger, and deliver value for money for consumers.”
During his speech at the Labour Party conference, Andy Burnham confirmed that Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle will bring forward a strengthened Water Bill to Parliament.
Mr Burnham said: “The centrepiece of that Bill will be this: the repeal of Margaret Thatcher’s ideological ban on public ownership of water companies.”
The announcement comes amid growing concern over the future of Thames Water, which is facing a potential £10 billion rescue takeover put forward by its lenders.
The Government has so far declined to comment on whether it will place the company under a special administration regime, even as Thames Water has warned that it only has enough funding to last until the end of the year.
A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that all options remain under consideration.
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We continue to work constructively with all parties to reach an agreement that supports Thames Water’s long-term financial stability and ensures the uninterrupted delivery of our biggest infrastructure upgrade in 150 years while continuing to meet the needs of our 16 million customers and the environment.”
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