The Government has today taken further steps to attract billions
in private-sector investment into the water sector to rebuild
broken water infrastructure and clean up Britain's rivers, lakes
and seas.
A roundtable with water investors this afternoon was hosted by
the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs
and Financial Secretary to the
Treasury, in the City of London.
Ministers discussed the importance of private sector investment
into water companies and how they can work together to clean up
our rivers, boost economic growth around the country by creating
tens of thousands of jobs, and increase the resilience of our
water supply that underpins every single home and business in the
UK.
This meeting follows the publication of the
landmark Water (Special Measures) Bill last week that
will deliver a strong, level regulatory playing field. This is
part of the government's work to create long-term stability and
attract billions of private-sector investment into the sector.
The discussion marks a step-change as the Department for
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs repositions itself as a key
economic growth department.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs said:
With the new Government, the water sector will become one of
growth and opportunity.
Working with investors, we will attract billions in
private-sector investment that is desperately needed to upgrade
our broken water infrastructure and clean up Britain's rivers,
lakes and seas.
Growth Minister Lord said:
Private investment is at the core of how we grow our economy,
rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.
The water industry has a vital role to play which is why creating
a stable and investable water sector is long overdue.
The Global Infrastructure Investor Association represents
more than 25 investors in the UK water industry. Chief executive
Jon Phillips said:
The roundtable was an important opportunity for the government to
hear directly from private investors in the UK water industry. By
working together we can attract the investment that is necessary.
We fully support the government's ambition to put the sector on a
stronger footing.
