They’re still trying to privatise water!

The Independent Budget Report is the latest body to propose the privatisation of Scottish Water, dressed up under the guise of a public interest company.

“This is a purely ideological recommendation as there is no explanation as to how this would help the hard pressed capital budget”, says UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson.

“It makes no sense to sell off Scottish Water at a fraction of its asset value, only to send the cash to London. Meanwhile, the water charge payer will have to pick up the purchase cost through higher charges and cuts in service.”

Paris is the latest city to bring its water service back under democratic control.

“Interestingly”, says Dave, “it was privatised under the guise of a public interest company and just two years later production was in the hands of multi-national companies.”

Back under public control charges have been frozen and profits are flowing back into the public purse.

The Scottish Government’s new legislative programme includes a Bill to extend the powers of Scottish Water. Whilst we need to see the detail, this appears to be a positive development. Both the SNP and Scottish Labour are committed to retaining Scottish Water in public ownership. So are the people of Scotland who understand the importance of keeping our most valuable asset under democratic control.

For more details see the briefing ‘Defend Scotland’s Water’ on the UNISON Scotland website.

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