Private water payouts are a public scandal, says Labour

John McDonnell has called the shareholder payouts of water companies a ‘scandal’.Labour launched a full-frontal attack on the privatised water industry last night, accusing companies of paying out the “scandalous” sum of £13.5bn in dividends to shareholders since 2010, while claiming huge tax breaks and forcing up prices for millions of customers.The assault by shadow chancellor John McDonnell came as he pledged total, “permanent” and cost-free renationa