THE growing crisis over Thames Water has shown "Scotland was right to keep water in public hands", the SNP has said.
It comes as the UK’s biggest water supplier – serving people across London and the South East – battles to finance the £14 billion of debt on its books following interest rate rises.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said there were “contingency plans in place for any eventuality” amid growing fears other water companies could join Thames Water in crisis.
Water was privatised in England and Wales by Margaret Thatcher through the 1989 Water Act. Between 1991 and 2021 water companies paid out £50.6bn in dividends to shareholders.
It doesn’t look like that is set to change, even if Labour wins the next General Election as Keir Starmer has U-turned on support for public ownership of water companies.
In contrast, Scotland's public drinking water and sewerage services are provided by Scottish Water, a public company.
Alan Brown MP said the SNP are “the only party that can be trusted to ensure key services stay in public hands - where they belong."
The party’s energy spokesperson added: "The growing crisis over Thames Water has shown that Scotland was right to keep water in public hands - and it will always stay that way under the SNP.
"With the pro-Brexit Labour Party joining the Tories in opposing public ownership of water, the SNP is the only party offering real change with independence and the only party that can be trusted to ensure key services stay in public hands - where they belong.
"It's a scandal that the Westminster parties privatised water in England and Wales - and it beggars belief that Keir Starmer has now adopted the same position as Margaret Thatcher by opposing public ownership of water. The Tories and Labour Party have allowed shareholders to take billions in profits, which should be used to improve infrastructure and reduce bills.
"People are crying out for change - but Sunak and Starmer have nothing to offer except Brexit, cuts, privatisation, and more of the same damaging policies that got the UK into this mess.
"At the next election, voting SNP is the only way to secure independence - so Scotland can escape Westminster control and get rid of these unelected Tory governments for good."
