The water industry in England and Wales is in private ownership. However, following examples of poor environmental performance and high levels of accrued debt, many campaigners have called for the industry to be brought back into public ownership. This briefing presents different perspectives and debate on ownership of the water sector.

The water industry in England and Wales is in private ownership. However, following examples of poor environmental performance and high levels of accrued debt, many campaigners have called for the industry to be brought back into public ownership. This briefing presents different perspectives and debate on ownership of the water...

The government has announced a series of water reforms. Find out more about these plans and the next steps.

The government has announced a series of water reforms. Find out more about these plans and the next steps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment and research has been undertaken by her department of the performance of Northern Ireland water as a nationalised utility, including its handling of water pollution, as a potential model for water services in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment and research has been undertaken by her department of the performance of Northern Ireland water as a nationalised utility, including its handling of water pollution, as a potential model for water services in England.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the Statement. I should say at the outset that, above all, our thoughts are with the more than 1,300 employees of Speciality Steel UK and their families, who once again face considerable uncertainty about their future.

However, I am afraid that this announcement appears...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for the Statement. I should say at the outset that, above all, our thoughts are with the more than 1,300 employees of Speciality Steel UK and their families, who once again face considerable uncertainty about their future.

However, I am afraid that this announcement appears...

My Lords, I congratulate the Minister on his new role, which is fast becoming that of a steel baron. As I said from these Benches during the passage of the nationalisation Bill—which, as the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, pointed out, focused on British Steel—Liberal Democrats recognise that national security, energy...

My Lords, I congratulate the Minister on his new role, which is fast becoming that of a steel baron. As I said from these Benches during the passage of the nationalisation Bill—which, as the noble Lord, Lord Sharpe, pointed out, focused on British Steel—Liberal Democrats recognise that national security, energy...

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions and serious consideration that the House has given to the future of Speciality Steel UK. I will come on to address some of the specific questions that both noble Lords have rightfully asked, but first I thank both noble Lords for mentioning...

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions and serious consideration that the House has given to the future of Speciality Steel UK. I will come on to address some of the specific questions that both noble Lords have rightfully asked, but first I thank both noble Lords for mentioning...

My Lords, I welcome the Minister to his position; I look forward to quizzing him as someone from Sheffield and from a steel-making heritage. I will miss my interactions with his noble friend Lord Leong; I really enjoyed them and wish him well. I will make two points. First, we...

My Lords, I welcome the Minister to his position; I look forward to quizzing him as someone from Sheffield and from a steel-making heritage. I will miss my interactions with his noble friend Lord Leong; I really enjoyed them and wish him well. I will make two points. First, we...

I thank the noble Lord for his questions. Let me reassure him that my noble friend will continue to fact-check me on a regular basis in the absence of him answering questions directly.

The workforce is fundamental to this. We will of course make decisions based on what it means for...

I thank the noble Lord for his questions. Let me reassure him that my noble friend will continue to fact-check me on a regular basis in the absence of him answering questions directly.

The workforce is fundamental to this. We will of course make decisions based on what it means for...

Lords statement on Speciality Steel UK.

Lords statement on Speciality Steel UK.

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend the Minister on his patience in dealing with some of the questions from

opposition spokesmen—they were quite astonishing. I am old enough to go back to the Thatcher years. In 1980, she appointed Sir Ian MacGregor to run the British Steel Corporation and...

My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend the Minister on his patience in dealing with some of the questions from

opposition spokesmen—they were quite astonishing. I am old enough to go back to the Thatcher years. In 1980, she appointed Sir Ian MacGregor to run the British Steel Corporation and...

I thank my noble friend for his usually robust contribution. I gently tell him that, while he was here to witness what happened in 1980 and can therefore tell us the lessons that must be learned, I was born in 1983.

I thank my noble friend for his usually robust contribution. I gently tell him that, while he was here to witness what happened in 1980 and can therefore tell us the lessons that must be learned, I was born in 1983.

Motion that this House has considered e-petition 762640 relating to a referendum on public ownership of the water sector. Agreed to on question. Sitting adjourned without Question put.

Motion that this House has considered e-petition 762640 relating to a referendum on public ownership of the water sector. Agreed to on question. Sitting adjourned without Question put.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered e-petition 762640 relating to a referendum on public ownership of the water sector.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I begin by thanking Ashley Paul Smith, who is sitting in the Public Gallery, for pulling together this petition....

I beg to move,

That this House has considered e-petition 762640 relating to a referendum on public ownership of the water sector.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Barker. I begin by thanking Ashley Paul Smith, who is sitting in the Public Gallery, for pulling together this petition....

That brilliant documentary was based on an example relating to South West Water and Devon. Many people in my area would like South West Water to become a company for the public benefit and mutualised. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that that would be a good model for South West...

That brilliant documentary was based on an example relating to South West Water and Devon. Many people in my area would like South West Water to become a company for the public benefit and mutualised. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that that would be a good model for South West...

As I run through my speech, the hon. Gentleman will find a theme of strong support for public ownership of the water sector throughout. We absolutely must look at that option.

Ash’s petition calls for

“a binding national referendum on whether the water industry should be returned to public ownership…A referendum would...

As I run through my speech, the hon. Gentleman will find a theme of strong support for public ownership of the water sector throughout. We absolutely must look at that option.

Ash’s petition calls for

“a binding national referendum on whether the water industry should be returned to public ownership…A referendum would...

rose—

rose—

rose—

rose—

Go on.

Go on.

My constituents in Morecambe and Lunesdale are really cross about the level of their water bills, and they get more cross when they see the profits being taken out of the water industry. Does my hon. Friend agree that that anger is fair and justified, and that some change needs...

My constituents in Morecambe and Lunesdale are really cross about the level of their water bills, and they get more cross when they see the profits being taken out of the water industry. Does my hon. Friend agree that that anger is fair and justified, and that some change needs...