Jess Evans, Liverpool Socialist Party
Average annual water bills will go up by 7.5% from April, the biggest increase seen in almost twenty years. Water firms claim they need to hike our bills so they can invest in infrastructure, with plans made to upgrade pipes and reservoirs. At the same time, they’re paying shareholders massive dividends and top staff mega bonuses.
This hike will hit customers at the same time as other bills, including phone and broadband, council tax and the TV licence, are all set to increase as well. Many households are already struggling from the extortionate increases from over the last few years, another one will only add to the strain.
Privatisation good for a few
The privatisation of the UK water industry in 1989 has meant a decrease in the quality and value for money for us. It’s a tale as old as time for many other privatised companies. Consumers pay £2.3 billion more every year for their water than if it was under state ownership, according to University of Greenwich research. The privatisation of water has emptied our pockets, whilst filling those of the shareholders. In 2024, water company bosses’ bonuses rose to £9.1 million!
While water companies are putting bills up for what they claim is necessary to maintain and protect our waterways, recent controversies suggest otherwise. In 2022, there were a total of 301,091 sewage spills. Our once gorgeous rivers and seasides are being contaminated by companies who care more about profit than protection. We need to bring our water companies back into public ownership, and run them democratically to protect our environment, instead of being treated as a way to enrich shareholders. Kick out private profit and lower our bills!
