Category: Donna Rowe-Merriman

The business model for Thames Water has failed

Commenting on reports that Thames Water is scrambling to find extra cash as it handed out millions of pounds to shareholders and bonuses to top bosses in recent years, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “It’s clear the business model for Thames Water has failed and the company is unviable.

“Even Thames Water’s own shareholders refuse to keep it afloat.

“Yet again, staff are facing an uncertain future with jobs at risk and no hope of much-needed investment. Customers will have to contend with poor water quality and rising bills.

“This utter chaos is further evidence the government needs to renationalise Thames Water now.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article The business model for Thames Water has failed first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The business model for Thames Water has failed

Commenting on reports that Thames Water is scrambling to find extra cash as it handed out millions of pounds to shareholders and bonuses to top bosses in recent years, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “It’s clear the business model for Thames Water has failed and the company is unviable.

“Even Thames Water’s own shareholders refuse to keep it afloat.

“Yet again, staff are facing an uncertain future with jobs at risk and no hope of much-needed investment. Customers will have to contend with poor water quality and rising bills.

“This utter chaos is further evidence the government needs to renationalise Thames Water now.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article The business model for Thames Water has failed first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Water companies must be regulated better and policed to improve public health

Commenting on the Environment Agency report today (Wednesday) that record levels of raw sewage were pumped out into rivers and the sea last year, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“These sewage spillages are a major health risk and are causing untold damage to wildlife and the environment.

“Water companies are dumping waste at whim and sticking two fingers up to every public health law that’s ever existed. Their selfish actions risk turning the clock back to Victorian times.

“Both the government and OFWAT have failed to ensure adequate investment. Ministers sat back while water company executives and shareholders cashed in. But the industry should have been using the money to improve aging infrastructure and replace out-of-date systems.

“A proper water strategy is needed urgently to prevent spills and improve water quality dramatically. That means tougher regulation and more staff to police the country’s waterways.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article Water companies must be regulated better and policed to improve public health first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Water companies must be regulated better and policed to improve public health

Commenting on the Environment Agency report today (Wednesday) that record levels of raw sewage were pumped out into rivers and the sea last year, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“These sewage spillages are a major health risk and are causing untold damage to wildlife and the environment.

“Water companies are dumping waste at whim and sticking two fingers up to every public health law that’s ever existed. Their selfish actions risk turning the clock back to Victorian times.

“Both the government and OFWAT have failed to ensure adequate investment. Ministers sat back while water company executives and shareholders cashed in. But the industry should have been using the money to improve aging infrastructure and replace out-of-date systems.

“A proper water strategy is needed urgently to prevent spills and improve water quality dramatically. That means tougher regulation and more staff to police the country’s waterways.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article Water companies must be regulated better and policed to improve public health first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies is wide of the mark

Commenting on the government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies announced today (Tuesday), UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“It’s encouraging to see the government recognise the challenges Environment Agency staff face, but ministers’ plan is still well wide of the mark.

“Despite the best efforts of the workforce, spills have caused irreversible harm to coasts and rivers. Adding a handful of inspectors will make little difference.

“The government’s failure to fund the Agency properly has put staff under mounting pressure. Many have quit their jobs, leaving those still in post overburdened, having to take on extra shifts to tackle the many storms, floods and pollution incidents.

“Ministers sat back and watched this escalating crisis unfold and have come up with an inadequate response that falls far short of what’s needed.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 377215 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article The government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies is wide of the mark first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies is wide of the mark

Commenting on the government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies announced today (Tuesday), UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“It’s encouraging to see the government recognise the challenges Environment Agency staff face, but ministers’ plan is still well wide of the mark.

“Despite the best efforts of the workforce, spills have caused irreversible harm to coasts and rivers. Adding a handful of inspectors will make little difference.

“The government’s failure to fund the Agency properly has put staff under mounting pressure. Many have quit their jobs, leaving those still in post overburdened, having to take on extra shifts to tackle the many storms, floods and pollution incidents.

“Ministers sat back and watched this escalating crisis unfold and have come up with an inadequate response that falls far short of what’s needed.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 377215 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article The government’s plan to tackle polluting water companies is wide of the mark first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts

Commenting on the move by South East Water to pay out £2.3m in dividends to investors despite huge losses, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“Failing and polluting water companies are jeopardising water quality, killing wildlife and causing untold damage to the environment.

“It beggars belief these firms are prioritising shareholder payouts over investment in services to their customers.

“The regulator must step in to force them to focus on providing safe water supplies and maintaining cleaner rivers, not generating vast profits.”

Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts

Commenting on the move by South East Water to pay out £2.3m in dividends to investors despite huge losses, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“Failing and polluting water companies are jeopardising water quality, killing wildlife and causing untold damage to the environment.

“It beggars belief these firms are prioritising shareholder payouts over investment in services to their customers.

“The regulator must step in to force them to focus on providing safe water supplies and maintaining cleaner rivers, not generating vast profits.”

Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Government must bring the water companies back to public ownership, says UNISON

Commenting on the near collapse of Thames Water and suggestions that ministers are considering bringing the company back under public ownership temporarily, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“The regulator has been asleep at the wheel. The owners of Thames Water have borrowed billions, yet downed every drop of profit, racked up gigantic debts and rewarded the poor performance of senior directors with huge salaries.

“Thames Water is meant to be delivering a vital public service. Instead, its reckless behaviour has led to regular sewage releases that pollute rivers, lakes and seas, kill wildlife, endanger public health and cause lasting environmental damage.

“And while shareholders enjoy substantial dividends, consumers face relentless increases in their water bills.

“Profits should have no place in public services. A short-term fix to bail out Thames Water won’t be enough. The government should restore the water companies to public ownership for the good of everyone.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Government must bring the water companies back to public ownership, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Government must bring the water companies back to public ownership, says UNISON

Commenting on the near collapse of Thames Water and suggestions that ministers are considering bringing the company back under public ownership temporarily, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:

“The regulator has been asleep at the wheel. The owners of Thames Water have borrowed billions, yet downed every drop of profit, racked up gigantic debts and rewarded the poor performance of senior directors with huge salaries.

“Thames Water is meant to be delivering a vital public service. Instead, its reckless behaviour has led to regular sewage releases that pollute rivers, lakes and seas, kill wildlife, endanger public health and cause lasting environmental damage.

“And while shareholders enjoy substantial dividends, consumers face relentless increases in their water bills.

“Profits should have no place in public services. A short-term fix to bail out Thames Water won’t be enough. The government should restore the water companies to public ownership for the good of everyone.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Government must bring the water companies back to public ownership, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.