Advice/Alert from EPSU www.epsu.org - After almost 25 years of privatisation of water services in the UK a national opinion poll reveals that citizens want to re-nationalise the water companies. They are not satisfied with the services provided.
The lack of investment is showing in continued leaks while the private nature of the business is clear by continued profits that are not re-invested. In some regions like London an astounding 4 out of every 5 people asked want a return to public ownership.
EPSU was commenting on a recent UK newspaper article at
EPSU was commenting on a recent UK newspaper article at
(Read the article:) http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/318424/71-per-cent-say-renationalise-water-industry
The UK water industry was privatized in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s by the Conservative Govt on the argument that investment was needed and that the private sector would make the investment – the Conservative Govt at the time reduced services, starved the public sector water of investment reduced services and staff , which in turn reduced citizens support for public ownership and allowed privatization to succeed – privatization included largely local govt and central govt water authorities …
Some of the UK arguments are referred to in the joint ASU publication ‘ Water in Australia ‘ produced in the 1990’s – I still have a couple spare copies .
The UK news (above) item might be of value to those arguing for investment and public ownership of water industry assess and against the arguments the “privateers” .
Please note the union referred to in the web link article GMB is a PSI affiliate – GMB Stands for ‘General Municipal (an industry based union) and Boiler Makers Union “.
