Water bills set for hefty hike as Ofwat judgement looms December 18, 2024 The water regulator Ofwat is set to allow bills to rise by at least 21 per cent in the next five years, as part of its long-awaited decision on the financial future of the scandal-hit industry on Thursday. Ofwat will reveal its final determination for how much water firms are allowed to hike their bills [...]
Water bills set to rise by a fifth as government calls for ‘complete reset’ of sector December 15, 2024 Water bills are set to rise by at least 21 per cent as the government slams a "failure of regulation and governance" within the sector.
Thames Water reports surge in pollution incidents as debts swell December 10, 2024 Thames Water saw a 40 per cent increase in pollution incidents in the first half of its financial year as its debts continued to spiral. The company reported 359 so-called category one to three pollution incidents in the six months to September 30, blaming an especially wet spring and summer. Debt levels were £15.8bn at [...]
Water firms look to increase bills amid fears of £400m National Insurance hit December 8, 2024 Water companies are hoping billpayers will carry the cost of a £400m hit from rising national insurance contributions over the next five years, previously announced in the Autumn Budget. The accumulated cost to all water firms’ in England and Wales comes to £80m per year, water industry sources told the Sunday Times. Firms have now [...]
Ofwat blocks nine water firms from using customer cash for hefty bonuses November 21, 2024 Ofwat said it would use new powers to prevent customers paying for £6.8m in payouts across the industry, 73 per cent of the total.
Don’t sit back and watch Thames Water ‘car crash,’ ministers told November 18, 2024 Union warnings come after a Guardian investigation alleged Britain's biggest water company is in a far worse financial state than previously thought.
SSE and United Utilities: Dividends in the spotlight as utility giants report November 10, 2024 Both SSE and United Utilities could increase dividends next week, in their respective half-year results announcements.
Thames Water backers table £3bn debt offer in scramble to shore up finances November 7, 2024 A group of Thames Water’s bondholders have tabled a £3bn debt offer to the beleaguered firm today as it scrambles to shore up its finances.
Thames Water launches £3bn emergency fundraising drive October 25, 2024 Thames Water has launched a £3bn fundraising drive to help pay off some of the struggling utility’s large debt pile. The water company has just £500m in cash, and hopes the new money will extend its ability to function for at least another year. Thames Water said today that the money will allow the firm [...]
Scrapping Ofwat could be considered by new water sector commission October 22, 2024 Scrapping watchdog Ofwat could be considered by a new independent commission on the water sector as ministers aim to attract investment into the industry. Ministers have launched the largest review of the sector since it was privatised, with the commission set to be chaired by former deputy Bank of England Governor Sir Jon Cunliffe. It [...]