[Neil Gornall]

This petition is not only a good idea for every UK citizen it could be great news for our industry if things could be changed.

 https://t.co/X8vkz99JhX

Please sign, every signature helps.

[ben M]

waste of time IMAO

[Neil Gornall]

waste of time IMAO

That's the attitude that the big corporations love. They rely on people like you sitting back, saying nothing, doing nothing, (except moaning to your mates) so they can gradually increase prices and reap HUGE payouts for themselves.

If NO ONE made a stand where do you think we would be now?

If enough people shout then the government is forced to do something as we have all seen in recent events around the world.

OR.  we could all put our heads into your bucket of sand,  ignore it and pretend its not happening.

[tlwcs]

This petition is not only a good idea for every UK citizen it could be great news for our industry if things could be changed.

 https://t.co/X8vkz99JhX

Please sign, every signature helps.

Done.

[ben M]

waste of time IMAO

That's the attitude that the big corporations love. They rely on people like you sitting back, saying nothing, doing nothing, (except moaning to your mates) so they can gradually increase prices and reap HUGE payouts for themselves.

If NO ONE made a stand where do you think we would be now?

If enough people shout then the government is forced to do something as we have all seen in recent events around the world.

OR.  we could all put our heads into your bucket of sand,  ignore it and pretend its not happening.

lol

[windiewasher]

They would ratherput prices up than reduce it.
Why waste your time.
Gas and electric bills have been too high for years.A group was going to get bills reduced.they go up loads every year.

[PoleKing]

Sorry OP.
it'll make no difference.
I'm metered so quite a big monthly spend, I just view it as another business expense.

[Paul Coleman]

If it meant better guarantees of continuity of supply by good investment, I would be OK with paying more for it.
You can't complain too much really if the profits are squeezed AND they don't invest.
Personally, I think it's ludicrous that such as essential item is in the hands of profit makers.  It badly needs to be nationalised and invested in, even if that does up the cost.

[Neil Gornall]

I think the point of these things is that someone is doing something.
If enough people shout long enough and hard enough then things happen. If everyone says "nothing will happen why bother" then they are creating their own argument.

Why do you think UKIP is doing so well right now and the other parties are starting to take action? coz everyone is shouting about immigration.
If everyone started shouting about the water companies ripping us off and not paying any tax then something will be done.

But I guess you lot are right. Lets all keep quiet, do nothing and let them get away with it.

[formb]

waste of time IMAO

Probably. But it just took me less than 20 seconds. Is your time that valuable that you cant spare 20 seconds?

[CleanClear]

waste of time IMAO

That's the attitude that the big corporations love. They rely on people like you sitting back, saying nothing, doing nothing, (except moaning to your mates) so they can gradually increase prices and reap HUGE payouts for themselves.

If NO ONE made a stand where do you think we would be now?

If enough people shout then the government is forced to do something as we have all seen in recent events around the world.

OR.  we could all put our heads into your bucket of sand,  ignore it and pretend its not happening.

He's right. Its a waste of time. Its nothing to do with head in sand or no one making a stand. Its more to do with misdirection. Confusing?
 Here's what i mean......no MP's can change the laws that made offering our public services out a requirement. These laws came from the EU. You can't lobby the EU. A lot of our MP's are on the boards of such privatised institutions or act as consultants for them. Still gonna ask your MP to look into it ? And as your link provides the info, the companies are often foreign and the cash is shipped abroad.

More confusion..............
A spokesman for Water UK said companies were providing good value. “Since privatisation, the water industry has invested more than £110bn to bring lasting improvements to their customers,” he said.

Water UK is the mouthpiece for all the stakeholders of the the water business and not some sort of water guardian of the UK. So anything they put out is the propaganda of the water companies.

“This investment has meant the UK is no longer the dirty man of Europe. We have much cleaner rivers and beaches and drinking water that is rated highest among OECD countries for customer satisfaction.......

hmmm..we have cleaner rivers because of the Environment agency crackdowns on polluters. But lets not that get in the way of a good story !!!
 I agree with you by the way, it would be great to get rid of them and have more sustainable water providers who do have a real interest as opposed to a profit driven thing. But asking MP's i think really is a waste of time. Best wait till they mess up, and they will . Then someone finds their positions untenable or somesuch, like what happened with rail track etc..

[MNWC]

All done 

[Paul Coleman]

waste of time IMAO

Probably. But it just took me less than 20 seconds. Is your time that valuable that you cant spare 20 seconds?

Personally I have got the time but I would rather have the infrastructure improved, possibly at a cost, than pay less for the stuff.  A week of extended drought order could cost one of the higher earning sole traders perhaps a thousand pounds. That would take a few years to make up by paying less.  Now the taxation issue is actually a separate one IMO and of course they should pay their share.  And don't think they wouldn't extend it to businesses if supplies started to dwindle.  They wouldn't hesitate - especially now that the legislation doesn't compel them to have a public hearing.

[ben M]

waste of time IMAO

Probably. But it just took me less than 20 seconds. Is your time that valuable that you cant spare 20 seconds?

waste of time to do a petition IMAO

[formb]

Personally I have got the time but I would rather have the infrastructure improved, possibly at a cost, than pay less for the stuff.  A week of extended drought order could cost one of the higher earning sole traders perhaps a thousand pounds. That would take a few years to make up by paying less.  Now the taxation issue is actually a separate one IMO and of course they should pay their share.  And don't think they wouldn't extend it to businesses if supplies started to dwindle.  They wouldn't hesitate - especially now that the legislation doesn't compel them to have a public hearing.

Do you believe that higher charges will lead to better infrastructure? The water companies are already making hundreds of millions in profit. This is not being reinvested. The point of the petition is not to reduce costs, rather to redistribute the way in which the profits are used.

[andyM]

Personally I have got the time but I would rather have the infrastructure improved, possibly at a cost, than pay less for the stuff.  A week of extended drought order could cost one of the higher earning sole traders perhaps a thousand pounds. That would take a few years to make up by paying less.  Now the taxation issue is actually a separate one IMO and of course they should pay their share.  And don't think they wouldn't extend it to businesses if supplies started to dwindle.  They wouldn't hesitate - especially now that the legislation doesn't compel them to have a public hearing.

Do you believe that higher charges will lead to better infrastructure? The water companies are already making hundreds of millions in profit. This is not being reinvested. The point of the petition is not to reduce costs, rather to redistribute the way in which the profits are used.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/feb/09/rising-water-bills-profits

Some customers have seen an 82% price increase over the last 10 years.

[formb]

waste of time to do a petition IMAO

waste of time IMAO

If it is a waste of time your 'arrogant opinion' why waste your time commenting on it.

[formb]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/feb/09/rising-water-bills-profits

Some customers have seen an 82% price increase over the last 10 years.

Excessive I'd agree but, Like Paul Coleman says most would happily pay that if the money was spent on infrastructure and the threat of hosepipe bans was eliminated. Instead the massive profits generated are divvied out to share holders.

[Paul Coleman]

Personally I have got the time but I would rather have the infrastructure improved, possibly at a cost, than pay less for the stuff.  A week of extended drought order could cost one of the higher earning sole traders perhaps a thousand pounds. That would take a few years to make up by paying less.  Now the taxation issue is actually a separate one IMO and of course they should pay their share.  And don't think they wouldn't extend it to businesses if supplies started to dwindle.  They wouldn't hesitate - especially now that the legislation doesn't compel them to have a public hearing.



Do you believe that higher charges will lead to better infrastructure? The water companies are already making hundreds of millions in profit. This is not being reinvested. The point of the petition is not to reduce costs, rather to redistribute the way in which the profits are used.

Of course.  The purpose of such companies is to make as much money as possible.  There would need to be change in legislation to ring fence excessive profit to invest in infrastructure.  Another alternative might be to ensure that they paid more taxes and ring fence that tax money for investment.  I'm sure the powers that be could figure out a way if the will was there.  I'm still against private ownership of something that is so essential.  Even if there was genuine competition with water supply, I would still be against it as the problem would probably be even worse with all of them cutting their costs to gain more customers.
82% in 10 years has been quoted.  That would equate to a bit over 6% a year allowing for compound interest.  Not great for an essential but probably less than other utilities.

[formb]

There would need to be change in legislation to ring fence excessive profit to invest in infrastructure.  Another alternative might be to ensure that they paid more taxes and ring fence that tax money for investment. I'm sure the powers that be could figure out a way if the will was there.

That is the root of the issue for me.

It is now time to bring some accountability to the water industry. I am calling for a Parliamentary inquiry into profits in the water industry.

That is what the petition is calling for.