Shadow water minister Angela Smith pledged that a Labour government would reshape the water industry in the interests of consumers and workers.
Speaking at a question and answer session at UNISON’s water, environment and transport conference, Ms Smith said full renationalisation was not a realistic option.
“In an ideal world, we could do anything,” she said. “But are we going to put millions and millions of pounds in the pockets of water company shareholders in order to renationalise water? I don’t think so, to be honest.
“What we’ve got to do is put all our efforts into reforming the industry to ensure that it works in the interests of the people that actually pay the bills. At the moment, water supply is a private monopoly and we cannot change suppliers, she said.
“So we need to find new ways to support those who cannot pay and pursue those who will not pay. We are calling for a national affordability scheme and we want to engage with consumers, the industry and you as workers on what should be in that scheme.”
In a wide-ranging discussion, Ms Smith also answered questions on the proposed high speed rail link HS2; funding cuts in the Environment Agency; Scottish independence; rail nationalisation through franchise renewal and the Hillsborough tragedy.
