A cross-party group of nearly 30 MPs has written to Ofwat’s Chief Executive asking for Thames Water to be placed in Special Administration, citing financial mismanagement, environmental violations, and risks to billpayers.
The call comes after it was confirmed that the UK government has contacted potential administrators. It is also days before a High Court case begins which will decide on the approval of a £3bn loan to Thames Water, as an emergency measure to prevent collapse in the short term.
Thames Water: Clive Lewis et al call for Special Administration measures
In an open letter to David Black, the water regulator chief, MPs have demanded that Thames Water be placed into the Special Administration Regime (SAR) and restructured under public oversight. The MPs argue this is necessary to prevent an expensive and inequitable market bailout, which would saddle households with additional costs.
The MPs’ letter highlights that Thames Water’s persistent financial and operational failings have led to repeated breaches of statutory duties and licence conditions. This includes illegal sewage spills, chronic underinvestment, and a diversion of environmental clean-up funds to distribute almost £200 million to shareholders at a time when the company was in serious financial trouble.
MPs claim the company’s market bailout would “burden” customers, as the £3bn loan’s 10% interest rate will “[force] households to bear an additional £250 over five years to cover £800 million in interest payments”.
The MPs argue that if Ofwat could set a dangerous precedent in the industry, signalling that companies could mismanage operations and prioritise shareholder profits without facing meaningful consequences.
Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, has introduced a Private Members Bill to set up a national commission to discuss the future of water management and ownership in the UK. The bill’s second reading will take place on Friday 28th March. Lewis also initiated the letter. He commented:
Thames Water epitomises the systemic issues plaguing the private water sector. Approving a hedge fund bailout would reinforce a broken system where mismanagement and shareholder interests are rewarded at the expense of customers and the environment. Special Administration offers an opportunity to reform the industry by bringing Thames Water into public ownership and ensuring the public has a voice in managing this essential resource.
The campaign for Special Administration aligns with increasing public and political momentum to overhaul the water industry and bring water companies into public hands. Advocates argue that placing Thames Water under public control would not only address its immediate failures but also establish a template for national reform.
Featured image via the Canary
