Singer-turned-environmental activist Feargal Sharkey has once again voiced his frustration over the UK government’s handling of the water industry, stating that ministers appear more concerned with protecting water company shareholders than the environment or public health. Sharkey’s comments follow the release of the Cunliffe Review, a landmark report into the state of water regulation in England and Wales.
The Cunliffe Report, spearheaded by Sir Jon Cunliffe, calls for a complete overhaul of the regulatory system. Among its major recommendations is the replacement of Ofwat with two separate bodies—one for England and one for Wales—suggesting that the current structure is no longer fit for purpose.
Government Protecting Profits Over People?
In an interview, Feargal Sharkey criticized the government’s apparent reluctance to implement meaningful reform. “The government are determined to protect water company shareholders,” he said, adding that decades of mismanagement and underinvestment have left the UK’s waterways in crisis. He described the findings of the Sir Jon Cunliffe water commission as “damning” and stressed the urgency for systemic change.
“The Cunliffe Review lays bare how the current regulatory body, Ofwat, has allowed water companies to prioritise profit over performance,” Sharkey noted. “This is a direct result of privatisation without accountability.”
Political Pressure Mounts
Labour’s Steve Reed, Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, backed Sharkey’s sentiments. Reed has long called for stronger enforcement against polluting water companies and greater transparency from regulators. “Sir Jon Cunliffe has issued a wake-up call,” Reed tweeted earlier this week. “We can’t allow this broken system to continue harming our rivers and communities.”
The Cunliffe Report highlights that water companies discharged raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters more than 300,000 times last year, prompting widespread public outrage. Environmental groups and citizens alike are demanding that the government shift its priorities from corporate profit to ecological responsibility.
What’s Next for Ofwat?
With the Cunliffe Review placing Ofwat under intense scrutiny, political and public pressure may force a structural shake-up. The report suggests that splitting responsibilities between England and Wales could provide more region-specific oversight and accountability, potentially improving water quality and service delivery.
However, Feargal Sharkey remains skeptical about whether the government will act. “We’ve had review after review. What we need now is action,” he stated.
As the general election looms, water policy could become a flashpoint in the broader debate over privatisation and public services. With advocates like Sharkey keeping the issue in the headlines, and with the findings of the Sir Jon Cunliffe review now public, the pressure is on policymakers to respond.
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