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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scottish Water ownership debated | Scottish Water ownership debated |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A change in the ownership of Scottish Water is to be considered by the Scottish Government. | |
| BBC Scotland has learned the finance secretary John Swinney will agree to review the company's future during a Holyrood debate later. | BBC Scotland has learned the finance secretary John Swinney will agree to review the company's future during a Holyrood debate later. |
| It is understood ministers are willing to consider public sector alternatives to government ownership, including mutualisation. | It is understood ministers are willing to consider public sector alternatives to government ownership, including mutualisation. |
| This would allow Scottish Water to borrow from financial institutions. | This would allow Scottish Water to borrow from financial institutions. |
| It could mean an additional £200m of public money would be freed up annually for other priorities. | It could mean an additional £200m of public money would be freed up annually for other priorities. |
| 'Taxpayer savings' | 'Taxpayer savings' |
| The proposal had previously been rejected by both the SNP and the Labour Party, but both are now backing a review. | The proposal had previously been rejected by both the SNP and the Labour Party, but both are now backing a review. |
| The Scottish Conservatives have long supported a change in ownership. | The Scottish Conservatives have long supported a change in ownership. |
| Derek Brownlee MSP, Tory spokesman for finance and sustainable growth, said: "Scottish Water costs each family around £100 a year, above and beyond their water bills. | Derek Brownlee MSP, Tory spokesman for finance and sustainable growth, said: "Scottish Water costs each family around £100 a year, above and beyond their water bills. |
| To borrow that money at expensive interest rates and allow private companies to extract further profits would add hugely to water charges Dave Watson Unison | To borrow that money at expensive interest rates and allow private companies to extract further profits would add hugely to water charges Dave Watson Unison |
| "Every year over £180m of taxpayers' money which could be spent on schools, hospitals or reducing the burden of tax is instead spent on Scottish Water. | "Every year over £180m of taxpayers' money which could be spent on schools, hospitals or reducing the burden of tax is instead spent on Scottish Water. |
| "In contrast, Welsh Water - a mutual rather than a private model - does not cost the taxpayer a penny." | "In contrast, Welsh Water - a mutual rather than a private model - does not cost the taxpayer a penny." |
| A mutualised Scottish Water would be better for customers, taxpayers and the company itself, he added. | A mutualised Scottish Water would be better for customers, taxpayers and the company itself, he added. |
| However Unison, the largest union representing water and sewage workers, said the plan was "crazy" and claimed it was simply a smokescreen for privatisation. | However Unison, the largest union representing water and sewage workers, said the plan was "crazy" and claimed it was simply a smokescreen for privatisation. |
| Scottish organiser, Dave Watson, said: "To borrow that money at expensive interest rates and allow private companies to extract further profits would add hugely to water charges. | Scottish organiser, Dave Watson, said: "To borrow that money at expensive interest rates and allow private companies to extract further profits would add hugely to water charges. |
| "All around the world communities are rejecting water privatisation yet here the Tories are promoting it." | "All around the world communities are rejecting water privatisation yet here the Tories are promoting it." |