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Thames Water should be nationalised, says Andy Burnham

Thames Water should be nationalised, says Andy Burnham

Summary

Andy Burnham, Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield byelection, said that nationalising Thames Water, England’s largest water company, is a possible option under his leadership. Thames Water has large debts and pollution issues, and Burnham wants more public control to stop high bills and excessive profits.

Key Facts

  • Thames Water is England’s largest water company, serving about one-quarter of the population.
  • The company has about £20 billion in debt and is close to collapse after years of private ownership.
  • Thames Water has been fined for polluting rivers and the environment.
  • The government is deciding whether to temporarily nationalise the company or accept a deal involving debt write-offs.
  • Andy Burnham supports nationalising Thames Water to put it under public ownership.
  • Burnham also wants to ban water companies from raising bills while paying dividends to shareholders.
  • The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, promised to reform water companies but has not moved to nationalise them.
  • Current laws have loopholes allowing water company executives to earn large bonuses despite poor environmental records.
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