Celebrities Join Protest Against Water Pollution and Privatization
Danny Dyer, Dani Dyer, and Becky Hill participate in a demonstration demanding public ownership of the water industry amid concerns over pollution and infrastructure.
Rivals star Danny Dyer, his daughter Dani, and singer Becky Hill have joined a protest calling for the public ownership of the water industry. The demonstration, held in Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent, was organized by SOS Whitstable and supported by a petition with over 315,000 signatures demanding the water industry be returned to public ownership.
Dani Dyer, who is currently preparing for Strictly Come Dancing, took time off from rehearsals to attend the event. She was accompanied by her father, Danny Dyer, and singer-songwriter Becky Hill. Protesters held placards with slogans such as 'Gimme gimme gimme clean water.'
Ed Acteson, co-founder of SOS Whitstable, stated that the public is "enough of being asked to accept polluted waterways, failing infrastructure and rising bills while shareholders and senior executives continue to be rewarded." He emphasized that "Water is an essential public service, not a vehicle for private profit," advocating for an industry run in the interest of people and the environment, with income reinvested rather than extracted.
Cliff Roney, a GMB activist with over 40 years of experience in the water industry, expressed grave concerns about the current state of infrastructure, citing a lack of maintenance and investment, and overworked staff. He warned that without a swift return to public ownership, the industry is "heading towards a national catastrophe."
Recent data from the Environment Agency indicated a 29% increase in water pollution incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 2,801 incidents reported. However, figures obtained by whistleblower Robert Forrester suggest the actual number is higher, with 3,513 incidents recorded, meaning approximately one-fifth were not publicly disclosed.
The number of serious pollution incidents also rose by 19%, from 75 to 92. Forrester, who previously worked for the EA, accused the agency of "covering up" the scale of pollution, attributing discrepancies to lengthy appeal investigations and a potential culture of deception. He stated that the agency's leadership appears to prioritize protecting the water industry over regulating it.
Danny and Dani Dyer, along with Becky Hill, engaged with other protesters, sharing their concerns about the state of the nation's waterways and the management of water companies.