The green energy tycoon claimed that the latest water bill hikes would 'reward' water firms' 'failure' to tackle the sewage crisis
Mr Vince, who owns electricity company Ecotricity, said that once Labour had settled in Government, he hoped the party would re-nationalise water – the industry was privatised in 1989 – in a similar manner to, a state-owned body for rail franchises, which will be gradually taken into public ownership when their existing contracts with the private sector expire.Mr Vince said: “I advocate a ban on dividends, a ban on bill rises and to take water back into public ownership.
“The water companies are failing to provide infrastructure, while piling on debt and racking up bills.” Unison, the trade union and Labour donor, said an overhaul of the UK water industry was urgently needed. “The rot must stop. Water companies and the regulator must be held accountable to ensure the public interest always comes first. A complete overhaul in the management of the industry is urgently needed.”