‘The industry is broken’ - South Shields MP calls on the Government to nationalise the water companies
The MP for South Shields has once again called for the nationalisation of the country’s water companies.
Emma Lewell MP has called on Government ministers to nationalise the nation’s water companies in an effort to stop sewage dumping in the sea.
The Member of Parliament for South Shields raised the issue in the House of Commons on Monday, June 8, where she branded the water industry as “broken”.
‘The industry is broken’
Ms Lewell highlighted to the House that Northumbrian Water is yet to publish its compliance plan despite the organisation promising that it would be delivered last year.
She said: “For over a decade, I’ve worked with campaigners in South Shields to stop sewage dumping in our sea.
“We are still waiting for Northumbrian Water’s compliance plan that was promised to us last year.
“The industry is broken.
“Introducing regulations, penalties, and blocking bonuses clearly is not working.
“Can my honourable friend please explain why despite acting on rail, energy and other industries, the Government is not acting on the strong expert evidence and calls from the public and campaigners to nationalise the water industry?”
Not-for-profit models
Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, stated that the Government is looking into not-for-profit models for water companies in an effort to clean up the nation’s waters.
She commented: “My honourable friend and her constituents have had a terrible time in trying to deal with sewage pollution.
“I know from the meeting that we had together with her constituents that it is not good enough that what was promised.
“I will urgently follow that up to find out what has happened with it.
“As I’ve already mentioned, we are looking in the white paper at that transparent process to look at various not-for-profit models.”
Protest in South Shields
Last month, South Shields Surf CIC organised a protest at Littlehaven Beach to call for changes to be made to reduce water pollution in South Tyneside.
Following that protest, Ms Lewell stated that “privatisation has failed” and called for the water industry to be brought under public control.
Speaking to the Gazette, she said: “There isn’t a single public service that was privatised that has worked for the public and you see that no where more than in the water industry.”