<\/p>\n
\n 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\u2019s water system.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Burnham said: “The centrepiece of that Bill will be this: the repeal of Margaret Thatcher\u2019s ideological ban on public ownership of water companies.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The announcement comes amid growing concern over the future of Thames Water, which is facing a potential \u00a310 billion rescue takeover put forward by its lenders.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that all options remain under consideration.\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Burnham criticised the current state of the water industry.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: All the Oxfordshire restaurant and shop closures confirmed\n<\/p>\n
\n Thames Water (Image: Matt Simpson)\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “Water is a symbol of what has gone wrong with Britain \u2013 a service where the shareholders never lose and the public never win, from which some have syphoned out easy money while the public picked up the bill for the sewage in our seas.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It stinks.”\n<\/p>\n
\n He said the new Water Bill would begin a decade-long transformation of the sector, giving mayors greater powers and introducing stronger accountability for water companies.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “Where private companies serve the public interest, we will support them \u2013 but the consequences will be clear for those who do not, including taking back control or ownership.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The current Water Act 1989 restricts government ownership of shares in water and sewerage companies to between one and three per cent, depending on the company.\n<\/p>\n
\n Campaigners have welcomed the proposed changes but called for more urgent action.\n<\/p>\n
\n Cat Hobbs, director of the campaign group We Own It, said: “Repealing the ban on public ownership of water companies is a welcome step in the right direction, but it is far from meeting the scale of the crisis.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Thames Water should have been in special administration yesterday.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It is in \u00a320 billion of debt and teetering on the brink of financial collapse.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The Government is expected to publish more details about its 10-year water reform plan later this year.\n<\/p>\n
\n A Water UK spokesperson said: “The best way of improving service and protecting the environment is to urgently implement the reforms recommended by Sir Jon Cunliffe in his independent report last year.\n<\/p>\n
\n “As Cunliffe concluded, there is no evidence that nationalisation would improve water company performance. The challenges \u2013 climate change, population growth \u2013 are the same regardless of ownership model.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIn the short term, reform of the sector remains vital. We urgently need clarity on what that looks like, and a timeline for implementation.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Thames Water has been approached for comment but referred the Oxford Mail to the above quote from Water UK.\n<\/p>\n
#Plans #bring #Thames #Water #public #ownership<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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