The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Now, re-nationalise water | Politics with Anoosh Chakelian
Jul 21, 2025
Megan Kenyon, a writer for New Statesman, attended the pivotal announcement regarding the future of the UK water industry, while George Eaton offers insights from his analysis of the independent review. They discuss the abolition of the regulator Ofwat and the urgent need for a radical overhaul to combat sewage pollution. The duo also delves into the debate over privatization and the calls for re-nationalisation, reflecting on public sentiment towards escalating water costs and leadership challenges within the Labour Party in a digital age.
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Labour Abolishes Ofwat Regulator
- Abolishing Ofwat shows the UK water industry's regulation is broken, according to the Cunliffe review.
- Labour's plan focuses on cutting sewage pollution by 50% and reducing water bills, positioning itself against Conservatives.
Voter Skepticism on Sewage Plans
- Halving sewage pollution may not be enough for voters who see ongoing sewage waste and rising bills.
- Labour risks losing support if people feel bills rise without sufficient visible improvements in water quality.
Sewage Crisis at Windermere
- The Save Windermere campaign highlights sewage pollution damages in the Lake District.
- Blue-green algae caused by sewage pollution threatens the lake's long-term environmental health.