Mounting debts and public anger could finally sink water companies in England and Wales Firms have loaded up debt to pay dividends and been fined millions for dumping raw sewage into rivers The Guardian - UK · Jun 28, 2023
Martin Lewis urges customers to take urgent action ahead of price cap change Consumer financ expert says customers should submit a reading to reduce the risk of ‘”estimating” going against you’ The Independent UK · Jun 28, 2023
Thames Water: Everything you need to know - including if your water supply is safe There are suggestions that Thames Water could be placed into a special administration regime (SAR) - the same process used when energy supplier Bulb collapsed Daily Mirror · Jun 28, 2023
Thames Water crisis puts privatised industry’s future in doubt Thames Water insiders blame “decades of neglect” by previous owners and management teams for the poor performance Evening Standard · Jun 28, 2023
Government on alert amid fears Thames Water ‘could collapse’ The future of Thames Water was thrown into doubt on Wednesday after its boss dramatically quit amid reports the Government is drawing up contingency plans for its collapse. Evening Standard · Jun 28, 2023
Who is Sarah Bentley and why is she stepping down from Thames Water? Troubled company announces chief will continue in post until a replacement is found Evening Standard · Jun 28, 2023
Thames Water 'emergency plans being drawn up' for its collapse - what it means for you Ministers are reported to be in talks about bringing Thames Water back into temporary public ownership under a special administration regime (SAR) - the same process previously used on energy supplier Bulb Daily Mirror · Jun 28, 2023
Emergency plans ‘drawn up for Thames Water collapse’ as water firm racks up £14bn debt Contingency plans reportedly being considered in event Thames Water is unable to service debts The Independent UK · Jun 28, 2023
Contingency plans being drawn up for Thames Water collapse UK government and Ofwat holding discussions amid fears firm cannot survive because of huge debt pile The Guardian - UK · Jun 28, 2023
Water bills 'set to go up 40 per cent as companies cover sewage spill costs' New reports have warned that water companies are set to hike bills for ordinary British households as much as 40 per cent between 2025 and 2030 as they look to cover sewage spill repair costs Daily Mirror · Jun 28, 2023
Water bills could rise 40% to almost £700 to cover repairs to fix sewage spills People across the country may have to pay more for the water that comes out of their taps Wales Online · Jun 28, 2023
UK business minister says Thames Water must survive; Bank of England governor understands criticism over rate hike – as it happened Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as government begins drawing up contingency plans for the collapse of Thames Water The Guardian - UK · Jun 28, 2023
Thames Water boss steps down amid backlash over environmental record Sarah Bentley had revealed she would forgo her bonus after criticism of utility’s discharge of raw sewage The Guardian - UK · Jun 27, 2023
United Utilities' £1.5bn plans to upgrade network approved by Ofwat Over £2bn is to be spent by water companies across the country Birmingham Post · Jun 27, 2023
The Guardian - UK · Jun 17, 2023 Water companies feel the heat as commercial bans loom in dry summer Suppliers may be forced to cut large-scale usage by businesses amid fears of a repeat of last year’s heatwave
The Guardian - UK · May 30, 2023 Water companies profit as we bathe in apathy Letters: We should be more angry about the behaviour of polluting water firms, writes Gwyn Jones, while Ian Jones calls for tighter regulation and Dr Miles Clapham suggests more green investment in sewage management
Wales Online · May 25, 2023 Every Welsh Water customer to get cash rebate after company found to have underestimated its leaks The company is facing an investigation by a watchdog after also overestimating consumption per head
Birmingham Post · May 25, 2023 Welsh Water to be investigated by watchdog Ofwat over leak reporting failures The water company will also return £14m to customers in the coming months
The Guardian - UK · May 23, 2023 South West Water under investigation over leaks and usage figures Shares in owner Pennon Group fall as it says Ofwat has launched inquiry into South West Water
Birmingham Post · May 23, 2023 South West Water to be investigated by regulator South West Water is owned by Exeter-based Pennon Group
The Guardian - UK · May 23, 2023 UK growth forecast upgraded by IMF; Bank of England governor says ‘big lessons to learn’ after inflation shock – as it happened New IMF report shows “a big upgrade to the UK’s growth forecast” says Jeremy Hunt, with UK expected to grow by 0.4% this year not shrink by 0.3%
The Guardian - UK · May 22, 2023 English water firms want to draw a line under the past. It won’t wash Industry wants accountability to cover putting sewage spills right, not firms’ previous compliance
The Guardian - UK · May 21, 2023 The Guardian view on England’s water companies: a badly broken system Editorial: Ministers were warned about the risks of private equity entering the sector but did nothing. Now we’re paying the price
Chronicle Live · May 20, 2023 Martin Lewis reveals 'biggest' benefit worth £160 that millions of families are missing out on Some of the poorest households could claim this benefit for help with their water bills
The Guardian - UK · May 20, 2023 ‘The whole thing stinks’: water firms to pay £15bn to shareholders as customers foot sewage bill With cost of cleanup to be passed on to bill payers, analysis shows they will also pay £624 more by 2030 to fund investor payouts