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Evaluating the Privatisation of the English and Welsh Water Industry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson*
Affiliation:
Public Sector Research Centre, University of New South Wales
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Abstract

The privatisation of the ten large water authorities in England and Wales is assessed in terms of some of its costs and benefits. Particular attention is paid to claims that privatisation would lead to less regulation, more competition and improved water services for consumers. The conclusions are that privatisation of water services was costly to taxpayers, led to more economic regulation and inadequate environmental regulation and did not significantly increase competition in the provision of water services.

Type
Symposium: An International Perspective on Privatisation
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , December 1992 , pp. 72 - 97
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1992

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