Good Morning Britain presenters Ed Balls and Kate Garraway welcomed campaigner Feargal Sharkey onto the show as they discussed the new report from the Independent Water Commission
Good Morning Britain fans threw their support behind campaigner Feargal Sharkey(Image: ITV)
Ed Balls from Good Morning Britain had a heated exchange with Feargal Sharkey following the recent review of the water sector. On Monday (July 21), ITV news correspondent Louisa James discussed the new report from the Independent Water Commission, as the government reveals its plans to revamp the sector and introduce a stronger complaints watchdog.
These new entities would take over from Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, and the criticised regulator for a new integrated regular in England, merging the functions of Ofwat and assuming the water-related responsibilities from the Environment Agency and Natural England. To gain another perspective on the latest development, the 58 year old presenter and his co-host Kate Garraway invited campaigner Feargal Sharkey onto the show.
Feargal Sharkey gave his take on the latest Ofwat news
The Irishman quickly expressed his disapproval of the new plans in a fiery on-air discussion. Ed started by asking: “Is it all for the birds if they don’t renationalise and take it into public control, or do you think that some of the things in here can make a difference and improve things somewhat, even if they don’t go as far as you’d like?”
At this point, the musician made his views clear on the new development, calling for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs Steve Reed to step down, reports the Express.
He started: “[Sir John Cunliffe, the Independent Water Commissioner] and I agree, he cast the gates of Ofwat and the Environment Agency [EA], we’re in total agreement. There are two failed organisations. But then he says he wants to abolish Ofwat.
“Well, I don’t know how you can have that conversation without adding the Environment Agency to that list, and then we have to think of the role the ministers have had in all this for 35 years, because the board of Ofwat, the board of the EA were personally appointed by the Secretary of State for the environment.
“Both of those organisations operate under guidance issued by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed. The day he came to office, he could have sacked both those boards and reissued the guidance and ordered both those organisations to proactively enforce the law.
“I’m afraid for Jon because I think there are some good things in what he said, but at the heart of this, he believes this is an issue of public trust, and for me that blatantly ignores that this is an issue about corporate greed, manipulation, profiteering, financial engineering, £74billion of debt and £84billion of dividends that these companies have ramraided.”
Kate then questioned the activist about who would foot the bill to fix the sector and get the water companies back on track, to which he disclosed: “You’re paying for it anyway, this is the curious thing. I’m quoting the government this morning. there’s £104billion private sector investment, but I’m challenging them right now.
“There is no private sector investment. Shareholders are not putting their hands in their pockets for that money, that’s why your bills have just gone up 30,40,50%. The chief executive for Northumberland Water just blew the gaffe in parliament two months ago.
“Now 85% of that money is coming from the bill increases. In the short term, it’s coming out of our bank accounts, and we’re certainly going to pay for it in the long term.”
He wrapped up: “I think the thing has become an utter shambles. The idea that on Friday (July ) it was announced that 65% increase in serious pollution incidents.
“There is no pollution control anymore in this country, and I think Steve has got to reflect very carefully on the role he’s played in the last 12 months. I think he should go.”
It wasn’t long before supporters flocked to X – formerly known as Twitter – to voice their opinions online, with many rallying behind The Undertones frontman. One user wrote: “Feargal is totally right in all he says. This report could be three feet thick, it won’t change a thing. We, the public, will still bear the cost. The bosses and shareholders will still get rich on us.”
Another concurred: “Feargal is right that there are ways of changing the status without it costing anything, but that means upsetting a lot of wealthy folk – which governments don’t like to do. It is time for the public to take control, as it benefitted the public and councils/ regions over profit.”
A third chimed in: “It’s all true what he says. Nothing will change and sewage dumping has gone up 60% since Steve Reed took control” while a fourth applauded: “What would we do without FEARGAL eg [thumbs up emoji].”
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