Thames Water demonstrates that privatisation is not fit for purpose

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Privatisation has been demonstrated as an act of faith rather than a vehicle for effective and responsible management of essential public services (thameswater.jpg)

Environmental quality and resilience minister Rebecca Pow states that “the government is confident that Ofwat, as the economic regulator for the water industry, is working with any company that is facing financial distress”.

Yet she has ignored the fundamental principle that (notwithstanding the financial difficulties of a single provider) water and sewerage provisions in England and Wales are regulated by statute and therefore it is ultimately the responsibility of the government.

In the post-privatisation world of Margaret Thatcher, the majority of England’s water industry is under foreign ownership. Majority ownership in the private sector is synonymous with control.