FBU reaction to the water white paper
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called for water to return to public ownership following the Westminster government’s white paper, A new vision for water, released on 20 January 2026.
The FBU said the white paper followed the Cunliffe Review, which it stated was prevented at looking at ownership models.
FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “The UK water industry has failed to invest for decades.
“Over that period, shareholders have extracted enormous profits while costs to users have rocketed.
“In 2020, while seeking election as Labour leader, Keir Starmer recognised this failure and promised to bring water back into public ownership.
“The Water White Paper could have been an opportunity to make good on that promise.
“But however strongly worded, regulation is not the solution.
“Regulation has failed.
“We need real change, not half measures.
“The country needs action, not a PR exercise.
“Public ownership is the only solution to this public emergency.
“It is the only sure way to ensure adequate investment in maintenance, infrastructure and future-proofing.
“The FBU calls on all MPs to ensure any legislation delivers this.
“Decrepit water supply and appalling sewage management must be fixed as a matter of urgency.
“All aspects of this failure must be addressed.
“We are almost alone in the world in having a fully privatised water system.
“It is expensive, dangerous and unreliable.
“It is not the job of the Labour Party to uphold hard-line Thatcherite models of ownership.
“It’s time to end this failed experiment and bring water back into public ownership.”
What the union is asking MPs to do
The union called on MPs to ensure any legislation delivers public ownership.
It also said decrepit water supply and appalling sewage management must be fixed as a matter of urgency.