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Thirty years after water privatization—is the English model the envy of the world?

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  • Dieter Helm

Abstract

The paper considers whether water privatization 30 years ago has delivered the promised superior performance to nationalization, which remains the dominant model in Europe. The paper sets out the arguments at privatization, in particular in relation to efficiency, the managerial incentives, the role of private-sector balance sheets in facilitating investment, and the impacts on the cost of capital. Alternative explanations of relative performance, notably the regulation model adopted, are highlighted, and the paper concludes by outlining an alternative model of water regulation which better marries up public responsibilities and private incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Dieter Helm, 2020. "Thirty years after water privatization—is the English model the envy of the world?," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 36(1), pages 69-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:36:y:2020:i:1:p:69-85.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oxrep/grz031
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    Cited by:

    1. Abate, Megersa & Christidis, Panayotis & Purwanto, Alloysius Joko, 2020. "Government support to airlines in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Mukherjee, Maitreyee & Jensen, Olivia, 2022. "Open Water: Impacts of Retail Competition on Service Performance and Water-Use Efficiency in England," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Rehema Msulwa, 2022. "How do megaprojects influence institutional change?," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 38(2), pages 302-321.

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