Ofwat’s recent approval of substantial water bill increases over the next five years highlights the systemic failures of England’s fully privatised water system. Since 1990, £80 billion has been drained from the system in shareholder dividends, with some companies paying out more than they’ve earned in profits.
This financial mismanagement of companies like Thames Water has left many in crippling debt, relying on borrowing to cover the shortfall. Meanwhile, ordinary consumers are left with higher bills to cover the cost of a broken system and raw sewage is pumped into Reading’s rivers.
The Green Party wants accountability
The failures of privatisation extend beyond financial issues. Last year, water companies released raw sewage into our rivers and streams for a staggering 3.6 million hours—double the previous year’s amount. One example of this environmental damage is Foudry Brook, which flows into the River Kennet. Thames Water’s untreated sewage entering these waterways is a serious threat to local ecosystems and public health. Despite these environmental violations, water companies continue to push Ofwat for even higher price hikes to increase returns for private investors. The Green Party firmly believes that this system prioritises private profit over the public good and the protection of our environment.
The Green Party’s solution: public ownership
The Green Party’s solution to this crisis is clear: bring water back into public ownership. Only by doing so can we end the cycle of privatisation, where profits are extracted from the system while services continue to deteriorate. Public ownership would ensure that investment is focused on improving services, upgrading infrastructure, and addressing pollution, like the sewage spills into Foudry Brook. We believe that water should be a public resource, managed for the benefit of all, not a commodity for private gain. The Green Party is committed to fighting for a fair, sustainable, and environmentally responsible water system for everyone.
Greens are the second largest party in Reading
As the main opposition party on Labour-run Reading Council Green councillors will continue to work constructively to get the best for Reading residents. There are now eight Green Party councillors and we have more councillors than the Conservatives and Lib Dems combined. We will keep working hard all year round on the issues that matter to residents.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner:
reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved
By Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward, 2024 MP candidate for Reading Central)
