Just read that they have been allowed to increase charges by 32% over inflation over the next 5 years to, among other things, sort out the mess they've made in Windermere. By a 'Labour' government, too. Surely, some sort of mass protest is appropriate? Refusal to pay? It most be time for these profiteering shysters to be re-nationalised, musn't it?
Just read that they have been allowed to increase charges by 32% over inflation over the next 5 years to, among other things, sort out the mess they've made in Windermere. By a 'Labour' government, too. Surely, some sort of mass protest is appropriate? Refusal to pay? It most be time for these profiteering shysters to be re-nationalised, musn't it?
You have a very similar country just to the north of the lakes which does not have privatised water. The average United Utilities water bill is apparently £442 just now. Scottish water bills are linked to Council tax bands so not quite directly comparable but only band A or B properties would pay less than that so I am sure Scottish bills are higher (they rose by 8.8% last year). Are you sure nationalisation is the answer? of have you actually just been getting your water too cheap? I'm not sure if Scottish Water are better at not polluting rivers/lochs etc - but they certainly do have issues with sewage contamination so higher bills don't promise perfection either. You could always harvest and purify your own rain water and treat and recylcle your sewage etc...
I lived through the 1970's and I would be VERY WARY of nationalising anything.
Nationalised businesses seem to start well but run to excess and inefficiency without the need to create a profit and a return for investors. Government never seem able to hold the nationalised business to account and things seem to end up worse not better. This usually happens just before someone says "we should privatise that business to hold them accountable" and then the whole loop begins again :o(
Be VERY careful of what you wish for :o)
Most of the Windermere mess comes from sources other than UU, but don't let facts get in the way of a good rant.
The increases are in part to pay for engineering our way out of the Combined Sewage Outflows (where rainwater is drained to sewage works where the alternative to temporary discharges is sewage backing up into people's houses) - most of which were collective agreements with Councils to reduce subterranean infrastructure and also, for the first time ever, Ofwat have allowed Water Cos to replace aged engineering rather than just replace at failure.
This all costs money, some comes from investors, some from customers.
