Afternoon summary
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, has tried to fend off claims that his party would force people to pay to see a doctor, saying Reform has “never said anything other than healthcare should be provided free at the point of delivery”. But Labour has pointed out that Farage has said he is “open to anything” in terms of healthcare funding reform, and that an insurance model, which he has advocated in the past, would involve patients paying. (See 10.35am.)
Government refuses to back Labour MP's bill to nationalise polluting water companies, citing potential £200bn cost
A proposed law that would take failing water companies back into public ownership if they repeatedly pollute Britain’s waterways has been blocked, PA Media reports. PA says:
The government did not offer its support to Clive Lewis’s water bill, which included a series of measures to tackle water pollution, including nationalising repeat offenders.
The private member’s bill from the Norwich South Labour MP would have meant any firms that had three major sewage spills would have their licence terminated and be nationalised, without owners getting compensation.
It would also compel the government to ensure water is affordable, with the provision of free water “where appropriate”.
However environment minister Emma Hardy said it would cost more than £200bn to renationalise the water industry. But Hardy added the government was committed to improving water quality and the wider industry.
MPs debated the Bill for more than four hours today, but Lewis asked for it to be adjourned until 4 July after failing to get Government backing.
Hardy said: “[Lewis] says we can do it better, we can do it better, we absolutely can. This Labour party was elected on a manifesto for change, it was elected with a plan for change. The Labour Party was created to serve working people and the working class, and it’s our duty to do that.”
She said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimated it would cost £99bn to buy capital assets, as well as £104bn for already-announced investment in the water system.
Lewis had introduced his bill by criticising the legacy of private ownership and said his reforms would send failing owners “into the sunset without a penny in compensation”.
He said: “Under the bill, if a water company breaches the terms of its licence with a major sewage discharge it can forget shareholder payouts and piling on more debt.
“Do it twice and you’re in the last chance saloon. Three strikes and you’re out. Licence terminated, on your bike, and those price-gouging, asset-stripping, river-killing, vulture-capitalist outfits, they’ll be rolled into the sunset without a penny in compensation.”
