Thames Water nationalisation moves closer as government objects to rescue deal

Thames Water serves about 16 million people in London and the south of England. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The UK environment secretary has objected to a £10bn rescue proposal for Thames Water because it would place an “undue burden” on consumers, pushing the troubled utilities firm closer towards public ownership.

Emma Reynolds wrote to Iain Coucher, who chairs the regulator Ofwat, on Monday to raise concerns about the plan for the UK’s biggest water company as she is worried that customers will lose out.