The Guardian argues that Thames Water should be placed permanently in public ownership after failing customers, polluting rivers and accumulating heavy debt. It says temporary state control must not become another rescue for private investors, and criticises Andy Burnham for considering oversight of private firms instead of nationalisation.

Thames Water serves 16 million people and has around £19bn in debt; MPs have recommended special administration, which would restructure the company while wiping out shareholders and reducing creditors’ claims. The editorial notes that most countries keep water publicly owned and cites estimates that nationalisation could save households up to £160 a year through cheaper state financing, although it would carry a substantial upfront cost.