Andy Burnham's water industry control plan could cost £105B

Andy Burnham: Andy Burnham serves as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In September 2026, he announced plans to remove statutory limits on government ownership of shares in major water and sewerage companies as part of a strengthened Water Bill. The initiative aims to increase public control and accountability in England's water sector. English water industry: The English water industry comprises privately owned companies responsible for water supply, sewerage, and environmental services across England. It operates under the framework established by the 1989 privatization and has been the focus of recent government efforts to enhance public oversight. The sector faces ongoing calls for stronger accountability mechanisms to address performance and investment priorities. Policy: Recent announcements emphasize placing public interest at the core of critical services like water through increased government flexibility on ownership models. Regulation: The UK government is advancing a strengthened Water Bill to repeal historical limits on public share ownership in water companies and expand mayoral oversight powers.