OVER two thirds of Thames Water customers think the service should be nationalised and run in the public sector, a new poll found.

In the first survey Thames Water users, 68 per cent of the 1,000 who responded said they believe it should no longer be privately owned, following a further hike in prices.

Conducted by We Own It and carried out by Survation, the poll also found that 79 per cent think the recent 35 per cent bill increase is unreasonable.

Affordability came out as one of the top concerns of customers, with a third of respondents saying the future of Thames Water would influence their vote in the next general election.

We Own It’s Sophie Conquest said: “The results provide irrefutable proof of something we have already known for a long time. Customers want Thames Water in public hands.

“People are absolutely sick of paying more and more for a broken water system, all while watching as shareholders continue to extract eye-watering profits.”