UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Monday 23 November 2009

Communities ravaged by floods as profits soar for water firms‏

As in 2005 and 2007, hundreds of public service workers have been mobilised to defend communities in the North West of England ravaged by floods. UNISON members employed by Cumbria County Council, the emergency services, the Environmental Agency, the NHS and water companies are providing relief to residents whose homes, amenities and local infrastructure have been devastated by flood damage. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/22/cumbria-flood-cockermouth-relief

Last weeks Queen’s Speech contained the Floods and Water Management Bill -to implement the recommendations of Sir Michael Pitt’s report into the 2007 floods. If enacted the new legislation will provide local authorities with powers to lead in local flood risk management and enshrine an essential EU directive in UK law.

However Government critics were quick to point out that the Floods Bill contained no additional funding for the Environment Agency http://www.nce.co.uk/news/business/government-pledges-energy-floods-and-high-speed-action/5211033.article

Therefore, it is understandable that UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis should react angrily to news of excessive profits for privatised watercompanies. Dave is quoted in the Daily Mirror as saying: “It is disgusting that we are being asked to pay more when these companies are making massive profits.” The Mirror reports that ‘four of Britain’s biggest suppliers –with nearly 19 million customers between them – have made half-year profits totalling over £700million. In April, typical household bills shot up 4.1per cent to £344 a year’. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/11/21/customers-furious-as-water-firms-rake-in-700million-115875-21839817/

Urgent Government action is required to force caps on water charges or better still to levy a windfall tax to secure funding for much needed infrastructure investment. How many times must local communities suffer from inadequate flood defences before effective Government action is taken?