UK Water Companies: Chinese Financial Influence

Debate between Lord Grantchester and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Tuesday 15th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I have expressed concerns previously in your Lordships’ House about the costs of nationalisation, which is why we are looking at the best way forward when we bring forward the new water legislation. I really look forward to hearing what noble Lords have to say about how we move forward.

[Lord Grantchester (Lab)]

My Lords, being unaware of the specific confidential financial arrangements of the UK water companies with the Bank of China, but given the high level of public anxiety over water companies’ performance and competence, can my noble friend the Minister give a full assurance that progress on water provision, waste management and adherence to environmental health will nevertheless be upheld in that most critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Yes, I can give my noble friend that assurance but, to deliver all this, we need to make sure that we encourage the right kind of investment into the infrastructure. That is one reason why the water industry is going to be included in the National Security and Investment Act mandatory notification scheme: to ensure that we have that assurance, as well as having information about delivery providers and the options to intervene, where necessary, if we are not happy with the transactions that are going forward.