Richard Quigley MP Calls For Water Sector To Be Nationalised

Isle of Wight MP Richard Quigley has called for the water industry to be brought back into public ownership.

Speaking in Westminster yesterday (Monday), he criticised the sector over sewage pollution, underinvestment and service failures.

Mr Quigley highlighted the impact on Islanders, saying sewage spills have prevented people from enjoying the Island's coastline.

He also referred to the major water outage earlier this month, which left homes without supplies over the weekend of September 5 and 6.

The MP challenged claims from water companies that nationalising the industry could cost around £100 billion and put workers and pension funds at risk.

He pointed to a 2025 report by the People's Commission, which concluded that public ownership could be cheaper than maintaining the current system.

The report also estimated that water companies paid £85.2 billion to shareholders between 1989 and 2024, adjusted for inflation.

Mr Quigley said water should be treated as an essential public service rather than an opportunity for private investment.

He said he would continue campaigning for public ownership, following discussions with campaign groups and campaigners including Fergal Sharkey.

The MP said Islanders deserve a water system focused on clean waterways, reliable supplies and long-term investment.