The tide is turning

“Water is a strategic asset for the labour movement. Water is essential for industry, farming, food security. Momentum is growing. The public wants water away from private industry. The debate on the future of water is now firmly in the public domain.”

The fringe event, The Case for the Public Ownership of the Water Industry, was crowded with members from the water industry and the Environment Agency. Many of them are on the frontline every day, having to deal with the public’s anger and frustration over sewage overspills and increased bills. Verbal abuse, violent threats and assaults are commonplace for some workers. 

“Public anger is being directed increasingly at our staff and our members. As trade unionists, we will not allow that public anger to be transferred onto our workers,” said general secretary Andrea Egan. “They are working day in, day out, across water agencies and the Environment Agency. They are doing their jobs under huge pressure, often with inadequate investment, which has led to understaffing.

“We need accountability at the top, not scapegoating. Bills are rising, sewage pollution remains widespread and the industry continues to prioritise financial returns over investment infrastructure and the environment.” 

At the fringe event, UNISON launched an updated version of its vital report, Clean Water – A Case For Public Ownership, which details the importance of water renationalisation and how it can be made to work for all. 

The report’s author, David Hall of the University of Greenwich and the PSIRU (Public Services International Research Unit), said: “Historically privatisation of water was never a popular campaign. In 1989 when it was introduced, more than 79 % of the public were against it. A poll last month revealed that 82% are now opposed to privatisation. That’s astonishing consistency over 40 years across the political parties.” 

General secretary Andrea Egan, said one of the main arguments made at the time for privatisation was that private companies could run the water system more efficiently, but the report shows structural weakness of this model. 

“Prices have more than doubled in real terms, environmental performance has deteriorated and private owners have extracted vast sums while investing none of their own capital. 

Shareholders have actually taken out over £95 billion since privatisation. 

“UNISON is committed to securing a system that works in the public interest and provides safe, sustainable and affordable water for all. Central to that vision is public ownership, across much of the world water remains in public ownership. Doing nothing is no longer an option. It is time to act.”

Clive Lewis MP confirmed that there is a “growing tide” toward renationalisation of water. 

“When we launched UNISON’s first clean water report at Westminster in 2024, it was very noteworthy how few Labour MPs were in the room. They said nationalisation of water couldn’t happen, shouldn’t happen. Now we have first time MPs supporting the cause. 

“Years of under investment, harmful ecological impacts, spiralling customer bills, billions in corporate profits and an uncertain and hostile environment for worker have all contributed to this collapse in political and public trust,” continued Clive. 

Other speakers at the event were: Jim Morris-Knight, WET (water, environment and transport) NEC; Natalie Mladenovic-Haigh, UNISON water industry committee; Sophie Conquest, campaign lead at We Own It; Lena Swedlow, deputy director of Compass.

The report’s recommendations include: 

• The government should use forthcoming legislation to deliver systemic reform;
• major regulatory decisions, including price determinations, should be paused until a full structural review of the industry has been completed;
• a comprehensive national inquiry into the water industry should be established, examining financial practices, environmental performance, regulatory effectiveness and long term sustainability;
• the delivery public ownership of water services - creating regional accountable public bodies with strong representation from local communities and trade unions.