Matthew Topham
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
📤 185
📥 98
📝 24
📢 Lead Campaigner
@we-own-it.bsky.social
to
#StopTheSewage
reposted by
Matthew Topham
Kevin Warnes
about 2 months ago
West Yorkshire needs an extended tram network - it’s time to scale up our ambitions to match the cities and regions of Europe!
@wyneedsatram.bsky.social
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It's our social security — our insurance. Protecting those disabled people already on PIP is an important first step. But it's our futures that are behind sold down the river.
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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Thames Water's lenders must not be allowed to bully the government. It is in the national interest to end the farce and bring Thames Water into public hands. It's cheaper. It's fairer. It's cleaner.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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Thames Water lenders demand government blocks campaigners from legal action
Creditors owed £13bn say ministers should prioritise ‘environmental betterment over punitive enforcement’
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/22/thames-water-lenders-demand-government-blocks-campaigners-legal-action?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
6 months ago
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This cause is close to my heart - please sign:
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/pa...
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Pass the Employment Rights Bill – in full, without delay
The biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation is within reach. But Tory peers and big business want to water it down. Add your name now to demand the House of Lords passes the Employment Righ...
https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/pass-the-employment-rights-bill-in-full?source=bluesky-share-button&utm_source=bluesky&share=df8ab160-a105-476e-baa5-3fd500676470
6 months ago
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"Thames Water is sinking under a torrent of debt, fines, and pollution." "The only way to stop this is nationalisation." 🎯 Gary Carter from @GMB_Union in the local paper.
6 months ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Tom Killick
7 months ago
I was a civil servant in the Dept for Transport in 1990s when the then Tory minister for London rejected extending bus deregulation to London, describing its operation elsewhere as "a pile of crap". Even Tories are right sometimes.
@cathobbs.bsky.social
@pedrojuk.bsky.social
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
CHEM Trust
7 months ago
🍺
@acs.org
recently published a study which found
#PFAS
in US beers. ⚠️ Scientists found that beers produced in areas with higher levels of PFAS in drinking water were more likely to be contaminated. Read more in our latest news story ➡️
buff.ly/WCVR0kB
#WaterPollution
#HarmfulChemicals
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New US Study Finds Forever Chemicals in Beers
A new US study has found PFAS in beers. Some of the beers had levels of PFAS that exceeded drinking water limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
https://buff.ly/WCVR0kB
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Tom Killick
7 months ago
Delighted to join
@cathobbs.bsky.social
and
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
from
@weownit.org.uk
yesterday in
@loisred.bsky.social
search for her MP Steve Reed, Environment Secretary, to make case for public ownership of water. We didn't find him but will keep trying.
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Alwoodley 2030 Climate Action Hub
9 months ago
📣 We're currently running our April Bio-Blitz! 🌼 We need 100 people to make 10 observations each of plants and wildlife on the iNaturalist App 🌳 🏡 Make a difference from your doorstep and join us in helping Nature in Alwoodley 🐞 ➡️ Follow this link to sign up:
sites.google.com/alwoodley203...
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
9 months ago
🚨 JUST OUT — privatised water companies DUMPED sewage for MILLION hours in 2024. Are you sick of this 💩? Do you want to end the profit from pollution crisis? Sign our petition for public ownership, starting with Thames Water:
tinyurl.com/cd9y2pf8
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
West Yorkshire Needs A Tram
9 months ago
Portland's tram helps slash emissions. West Yorkshire had a HUGE network for over 50 years. THIS is how we make transport work for everyone: people and planet. Sign the petition:
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/br...
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
9 months ago
🎉South Yorkshire buses are coming back into public control! 🚏🚍Next stop needs to be public ownership.
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
on BBC Look North today, on ending the privatisation death spiral.
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
9 months ago
📣Win for public ownership 🥳 “It’s a testament to the people of South Yorkshire that the Mayor’s now delivering a reform that could over time boost reliability, integrate tickets and routes, and halt or reverse cuts.”
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
in Yorkshire Post
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transpo...
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'Back to the future' - South Yorkshire buses back under public control
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said that the region is going “back to the future” after making the landmark decision to take buses back under public control.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/back-to-the-future-south-yorkshire-buses-back-under-public-control-5039866
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Ilkley Clean River Group
10 months ago
Public events coming up. Come and have your say on the future of our water. Free
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Ilkley Clean River Group
10 months ago
#StopTheWaterScam
youtube.com/shorts/GrlqQ...
your MP
shorturl.at/qwNrp
Video Fact Sheet
shorturl.at/RjKgv
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StopTheWaterScam
YouTube video by Ilkley Clean River Group
https://youtube.com/shorts/GrlqQfluGfM?feature=sharedEmail
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❌ Jon Cunliffe of the government's supposedly 'Independent' Water Commission claims they can't find evidence that water OWNERSHIP matters. ✅ Glasgow hosts a 'universally acknowledged' expert who says PRIVATISATION is worse. ✍️ Ask them to look again:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/stev...
10 months ago
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"If we want to build a world that is beautiful, kind, and fair, then our activism must be beautiful, kind, and fair too." The latest campaign from the Craftivist at Leeds Sanctuary. Check it out here 👇 on the Climate Action Leeds blogs.
www.climateactionleeds.org.uk/post/fashion...
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Fashioning a new future: Can you help Leeds Craftivists push for political change?
By Laura Fetherston, Climate Action Leeds volunteerA Leeds group has invited local people to contribute clothes for a creative effort to protect the planet and the textile workers who supply the UK's ...
https://www.climateactionleeds.org.uk/post/fashioning-a-new-future-can-you-help-leeds-craftivists-push-for-political-change
10 months ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
West Yorkshire Needs A Tram
10 months ago
The proposed Bradford-Leeds Tram line gets... ⏩ X2 the support from 18-35 year olds compared to those over 65 ⏭️ its highest support from those studying, working or living on the route. To get the FULL benefits we need a Full network.
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/2497296...
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Generational divide over plans for trams between Leeds and Bradford
BRADFORD Council will continue to push for a tram line that passes through Holme Wood and re-use old rail routes – despite that route not being…
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24972969.generational-divide-plan-new-bradford-tram-line/
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
10 months ago
🚨BREAKING - Steve Reed has just launched the biggest review into the water sector since privatisation. But wait…..he says the commission can’t even consider public ownership. 🤯 We need to act quickly to change his mind. ⏰ Sign our petition now ✍️
weownit.org.uk/act-now/stev...
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Steve Reed: include public ownership as an option in your independent commission on the water sector. | We Own It
Steve Reed must put public ownership back on the table.
https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/steve-reed-include-public-ownership-in-your-independent-commission-on-the-water-sector
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
The People’s Commission on the Water Sector
10 months ago
“The public is being treated as a minor stakeholder by water companies, regulators and government…the public funds the water sector, are passionate about their local environment & have been the driving force for change in the water sector….” Prof malby
www.thepeoplescommissiononthewatersector.co.uk
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The People's Commission on the Water Sector
https://www.thepeoplescommissiononthewatersector.co.uk
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
11 months ago
Do you agree with
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social
that Thames Water should come into public ownership? Nearly 35,000 people have already signed our petition calling for just that. Help us hit that target — add your name here:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
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🎉 We did it! 🎉 In less than 24 hours, campaigners across the country took our Thames Water petition from 25,000 to 30,500. Do you agree with bringing privatised water companies, like Thames Water, into public ownership? Sign ✍️ and share 🔁 NOW!
weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
11 months ago
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And there you have it. For all the Labour government's noise about tackling the sewage scandal... ...their policies are designed to sound good but have no REAL impact. e.g., introducing a bonus ban they know will be dodged. ⚠️ Public ownership NOW. ⚠️
www.ft.com/content/6b6e...
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Thames Water plans to hike bosses’ pay in response to bonus caps
UK’s debt-laden utility warns it will raise salaries if bonus restrictions are enforced by regulator Ofwat
https://www.ft.com/content/6b6e9b4b-4e22-4f6e-be53-5d945eeec865
11 months ago
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✂️ Winter Fuel Allowance — CUT 📈 Bus Cap — HIKED 💡 Energy Bills — RISING And now Ofwat could sign off up to 80% increases in water bills for some households in JUST 7 days’ time. Privatisation is a rip-off. Sign our petition to stop the hikes before next Thursday.
weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop...
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Say NO to a shareholder bailout: stop the water bill hikes!
https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop-the-shareholder-bailout-no-bill-hikes
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
about 1 year ago
🔊 EXPLAINED IN 60 SECONDS 🔊 Have you heard about the secret Thames Water deal that could cost households £250+ a year?
@GraceBlakeley.bsky.social
breaks down what's at stake — and how public ownership can stop the crisis. ✍️ Sign the petition to stop it here:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
about 1 year ago
Thames Water is after a £3 billlion bailout loan💰 The interest and fees alone will be £800 million 💸 The company only has one source of income - customer bills 🧾 What might happen to those bills? 🤔 We need Steve Reed to
#BlockTheBailout
❌
www.mirror.co.uk/money/thames...
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/thames-water-customers-risk-paying-34279427
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Henley Mermaids
about 1 year ago
On Monday we attended a briefing for MPs with the formidable
@windrushwasp.bsky.social
, Stanley Root, forensic accountant & prof. Ewan McGaughey. All highlighting the scale of illegality in water companies.
@labourlewis.bsky.social
@annadixonmp.bsky.social
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Yesterday, campaigners from across the Thames region came together to demand Steve Reed protect them from a bad bailout deal. Public ownership could save us BILLIONS. It's time.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2478499...
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Sewage groups protest against Thames Water's call for steep bill hikes
Anti-sewage groups from Oxfordshire protested against Thames Water's plans for steep bill hikes to cover the cost of its temporary £3 billion…
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24784996.oxfordshire-groups-protest-thames-water-bill-hikes/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
DeskJockeyed
about 1 year ago
I've signed it. Don't sell off critical assets (again). They must be owned by and for the people, not profit.
add a skeleton here at some point
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🤑 Plans put forward by potential Thames Water shareholders include a £4 BILLION asset sale. 🫵 YOUR bills built those assets. YOU should own them. ✍️✍️✍️ Sign our petition for Thames Water to come into public ownership NOW:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/brin...
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Jenny Jones
about 1 year ago
Today ... Hoping to join five campaign events, plus the Football Bill. A We Own It protest at the Dept of Env, a
@unison.org.uk
event on clean water, two transport safety meetings, then finally at 7pm a Water Bill briefing re sewage. I say 'hoping' cos timing of Bill debates can be unpredictable.
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Sharp satire from
@graemebandeira.bsky.social
here: I can fill in one door ahead of time... 19th December — water bills to rise by up to 80% weeks after English waters rated 2nd worst in Europe. Don't want to pay for a bailout of water firms? Sign our petition here:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop...
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Henley Mermaids
about 1 year ago
Always good to spend the day with old friends. In Witney with WASP. Absolutely shocking to see sewage fungus and sanitary pads choking the Colwell Brook, with ammonia readings too high for the machine to read. This is the supposed ‘diluted untreated effluent’ that Thames Water insists is harmless.
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Shareholders have extracted OVER a whopping £85 BILLION since privatisation. Now they're using money from YOUR bills to push the regulator to allow them to extract MORE. No one else runs water like we do — it's time for public ownership.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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Water firms push for higher shareholder returns as Ofwat considers bills increase
Companies say higher returns are needed to ensure record infrastructure investment across industry is delivered
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/03/water-firms-push-for-higher-shareholder-returns-as-ofwat-considers-bills-increase?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
about 1 year ago
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"Britain is a haven for profiteers exploiting state-backed control of resources. "The obvious example is water privatisation, long looking like an organised rip-off, with bills funding shareholder payouts. "Labour has offered rhetoric but no meaningful change."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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The Guardian view on Keir Starmer’s reset: it needs a vision to tackle Britain’s challenges | Editorial
Editorial: The prime minister faces scrutiny as voters demand bold action, not recycled policies, to address Britain’s deepening economic and social concerns
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/02/the-guardian-view-on-keir-starmers-reset-it-needs-a-vision-to-tackle-britains-challenges?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
about 1 year ago
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🤬 This is an absolute scandal. Thames Tideway, like all PFI, is a rip-off that enriches a few at the expense of the many. And yet the government wants to roll this model out across the entire English water industry. We must not reprivatise our water.
inews.co.uk/news/thames-...
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Thames super-sewer adds £160 to water bills while CEO takes home extra £1.7m
Thames Water and Tideway Tunnel defend annual bill charges for giant sewage scheme - which won't be fully operational until 2025
https://inews.co.uk/news/thames-water-increasing-bills-160-chief-exec-1-7m-3405102
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Left Foot Forward
about 1 year ago
Writing for Left Foot Forward,
@mjhtopham.bsky.social
from
@we-own-it.bsky.social
explains why England's bathing water is among the worst in Europe
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Why England’s bathing water is amongst the worst in Europe
Only 7 countries have an average of 90% or more bathing sites achieving ‘excellent’ status — and they are all over 90% publicly owned.
https://leftfootforward.org/2024/11/why-englands-bathing-water-is-amongst-the-worst-in-europe/
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
West Yorkshire Needs A Tram
about 1 year ago
Just holding space for some old tram stops right now
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Great work from
@henleymermaids.bsky.social
to create this Water Warriors starter pack. Want to end profiting from pollution? Take a look here...
go.bsky.app/EqpRHgA
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Better Buses for Strathclyde
about 1 year ago
We're off to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow for the first hearing of our petition to "Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers" 🚍🚏 📍 Public Petitions Committee: 📅 Weds 27 Nov, 11am 𝘿𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨 your chance to add your name before 👇
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Petition: Accelerate the implementation of bus franchising powers
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to improve the process for implementing the bus franchising powers contained in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 by: * introducing...
https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2116
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It's wild that the number of bathing water sites rated as poor has hit 8% — the worst level since records began. England has the second worst bathing water in Europe. We're the only fully privatised water system. Is that a coincidence?
weownit.org.uk/england-amon...
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England's bathing water amongst the worst in Europe
Figures just released by the Department for the Environment reveal that just 64% of England's bathing water sites are reaching "excellent" status. Bathing water sites are areas of rivers and seas whic...
https://weownit.org.uk/england-amongst-worse-in-europe
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
We Own It
about 1 year ago
🚨 NEW 🚨 Data just out would put England in the bottom 4 nations in Europe for bathing water cleanliness. Only 64% of sites meet the "the highest, cleanest classification." Based on 2023 data, JUST Albania, Poland, and Hungary performed worse.
weownit.org.uk/england-amon...
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England's bathing water amongst the worst in Europe
Figures just released by the Department for the Environment reveal that just 64% of England's bathing water sites are reaching "excellent" status. Bathing water sites are areas of rivers and seas whic...
https://weownit.org.uk/england-amongst-worse-in-europe
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Gareth Forest
about 1 year ago
Thanks I hate it
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
West Yorkshire Needs A Tram
about 1 year ago
📱 Trams are back on the feed today. A reminder from our launch earlier this month — West Yorkshire needs the cash to guarantee... ✅ this time our tram *actually* gets built AND ✅ it serves the *entire* region. Back the vision? Sign our petition here:
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/br...
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Under current rules, private firms are allowed to slash and burn our services. Mayor Brabin is right to be wrestling back a degree of control through franchising from 2027. But we need Arriva to reverse this terrible decision NOW too.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Wakefield bus services: Arriva announces further cuts
The operator is grappling with a driver shortage, but says it is developing a reliable timetable.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgx0wnyy08o
about 1 year ago
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The stead rise of the fare caps is a serious concern for passengers. But any attempt by the Mayor to hold back the tide is welcome. By ending privatisation we could save £14 MILLION a year to reinvest in cheaper fares and extra services.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Single bus fare cap in West Yorkshire could rise to £2.50 next year
The planned rise is less than the national £3 cap announced by the government in its Budget.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yrzv8kvxxo
about 1 year ago
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🌹 At 4pm, a Labour minister was praising the move to public ownership on our railways. 🥀 At 5pm, we heard that privatisation is the 'only option' for our water system. Why is the government asking bill payers to bailout failed water firms? Take back their licences instead.
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about 1 year ago
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Shareholders bagged £380 for every hour they dumped
#sewage
in 2023. Privatisation is a scam. We need public ownership. ✍️ Sign the petition here:
weownit.org.uk/act-now/stop...
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Matthew Topham
Henley Mermaids
about 1 year ago
When the magazine of the capital markets starts calling for Thames Water to be renationalised, you know things are bad. It’s time for government to step in, protect bill payers and end the farce. Special administration and public ownership now.
bit.ly/3YSZM17
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Starmer: end the Thames Water farce now
There is no crock of equity gold at the end of the rainbow
https://bit.ly/3YSZM17
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People want a say over how their services are run. Franchising is a first step towards an accountable bus network. But it falls well short of giving service workers and users the power to use their experience to improve this essential system. Me for BBC Sheffield:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
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South Yorkshire bus franchising survey attracts thousands of responses
The consultation is asking whether buses should be brought back under public control.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2e71dljdgjo
about 1 year ago
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