Andy Burnham, poised to become Prime Minister, has vowed to protect households from soaring water bills by scrapping the average £658 charge for Thames Water customers. The company plans a modest £3 increase in 2026, marking a 0.4% rise, but Burnham believes the solution lies in public ownership.
As the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, Burnham is a vocal supporter of nationalising water companies. He emphasized that “public ownership is absolutely an option” under his leadership. Expressing concern over recent significant hikes in water bills within his constituency, he criticized the private ownership model for prioritizing shareholder profits over consumers.
“The profits of water companies like Thames Water have nearly doubled, while bill payers see little benefit,” Burnham explained. “The water industry is largely operated for private gain rather than public good, creating a system where shareholders win regardless of outcomes, but customers lose.”
READ MORE: State Pensioners Receive £14,288 Worth of Freebies and Discounts in July
READ MORE: 13 Million Customers of Major UK Energy Providers Most Impacted by New Price Cap Increase
Burnham proposes to tackle these issues by restructuring the industry to eliminate what he describes as “excessive profiteering.” He pointed to figures like Feargal Sharkey, who highlighted billions extracted from the water sector without reinvestment into infrastructure — a problem mirrored in other essential services such as railways and energy.
Highlighting environmental concerns, Burnham also called for stringent consequences, including criminal penalties, for company executives responsible for sewage mismanagement and spills. He insisted that those who neglect their duties “should face serious consequences.”
Reflecting public outrage, Burnham concluded, “The public interest must take precedence over private profit. It’s time to draw a line and ensure these essential services serve the people, not just shareholders.”