Water Companies: Nationalisation
Commons · Question 1329 · Tabled 14 May 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record
Answered 22 May 2026
Question
Asked by Layla Moran
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether existing legislation prevents the Government from nationalising a water company.
Answer
Answered by Emma Hardy, 22 May 2026
The Water Act 1989 and the Water (Target Investment Limit) Order 1990 limit Government shareholdings in water companies to around 3% (exact figure differs by company). Nationalisation would need new primary legislation to require changes to water company ...