The UK government has responded to a petition signed by over 150,000 people calling for the nationalisation of water companies. The petition, created by Ashley Paul Smith, demands a binding national referendum on returning the water industry to public ownership. Parliament will debate the matter on September 14, as required when a petition reaches 100,000 signatures.
Petition Creator's Argument
Smith argues that privatisation has failed, stating: "Water is a basic human necessity; we believe our privatised system has failed, so the public should decide who owns and controls it." He claims private water companies have 62 million captive customers, with bills delivering over £85 billion to shareholders—money that could have been used for infrastructure under public ownership. He also notes that no other country has privatised water in the same way.
Government's Stance
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) responded in April, before the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office. Defra stated: "Nationalisation would take years and involve complex legal processes, diverting effort from cleaning up rivers, lakes and seas. We are taking action now through stronger regulation and enforcement." The government acknowledged public concern but said it has no intention of nationalising the water sector, arguing that a referendum would not deliver faster improvements for customers or the environment.
Political Developments
Andy Burnham, who won a by-election and is set to become Prime Minister, expressed interest in greater public ownership of utility companies in June. The Financial Times reported that Burnham is expected to make an announcement on the water industry within weeks. This shift in leadership may influence the debate.
Next Steps
The parliamentary debate on September 14 will be streamed on the UK Parliament YouTube channel. The petition remains open for signatures, and the outcome of the debate could shape future policy on water ownership.
