Don’t back down on pledge to put water firms under public control, Burnham told
News Source
•Wed, 16 Sep 2026 17:43:31 GMT
📰 What Happened
Two close allies of UK prime minister Andy Burnham have warned him not to back down on promises to bring water companies under public control. They spoke after details of his plan emerged.
Burnham is said to be looking at creating nine regional bodies covering England and Wales. They would set goals for water firms and question bosses about bills and sewage spills.
Mathew Lawrence and Mark McVitie said oversight alone is not enough. They said public control must mean real power over money, not just watching from the side.
🔍 The Backstory
Sewage pumped into rivers and seas has become a major scandal in Britain. Household complaints about water firms are up 48 percent in a year, the steepest rise in two decades.
Burnham plans to publish a 10-year plan for Britain in November. It will set out how he means to bring water and energy firms under public control.
One big test is Thames Water, which is in financial trouble. Its net debt has grown to 18.5bn pounds. Burnham has said he would nationalise the company.
🎯 Why It Matters
Water quality affects anyone who drinks from a tap, swims or fishes. If regulators only ask questions, bills may stay high and spills may continue. The choice also decides who pays to fix old pipes.
Two close allies of UK prime minister Andy Burnham have warned him not to back down on promises to bring water companies under public control. They spoke after details of his plan emerged.
Burnham is said to be looking at creating nine regional bodies covering England and Wales. They would set goals for water firms and question bosses about bills and sewage spills.
Mathew Lawrence and Mark McVitie said oversight alone is not enough. They said public control must mean real power over money, not just watching from the side.
Sewage pumped into rivers and seas has become a major scandal in Britain. Household complaints about water firms are up 48 percent in a year, the steepest rise in two decades.
Burnham plans to publish a 10-year plan for Britain in November. It will set out how he means to bring water and energy firms under public control.
One big test is Thames Water, which is in financial trouble. Its net debt has grown to 18.5bn pounds. Burnham has said he would nationalise the company.
Water quality affects anyone who drinks from a tap, swims or fishes. If regulators only ask questions, bills may stay high and spills may continue. The choice also decides who pays to fix old pipes.