Column: Water, water everywhere… October 23, 2024 Or why the latest twist in the sewage tale suggests a rebalancing of Labour’s priorities England’s water system made a splash again this week, hitting the headlines as the government announced their latest move to – as they put it – clean up the industry. An independent review, led by none other than the former [...]
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 [...]
Singapore’s wealth fund snubs regulated UK utilities amid Thames Water crisis September 22, 2024 Singapore's sovereign wealth fund has reportedly told the government that it will not invest in regulated UK water, electricity and gas utilities due to unpredictable rules on infrastructure, in a blow for Labour's economic strategy.
Water investment bosses meet ministers amid hunt for fresh funding September 10, 2024 Ministers have held talks with bosses of water industry investment firms in a bid to attract fresh capital to the scandal-hit sector. Environment secretary Steve Reed held a roundtable with roughly 30 people representing investors in the sector such as pension funds on Tuesday in Canada. Reed said he wants the water [...]
Thames Water creditors in funding drive to dodge special administration September 6, 2024 A group of Thames Water’s creditors are devising backup plans for a renewed injection of cash in a bid to prevent the firm from being effectively renationalised. The UK’s biggest water company is struggling under an £18.7bn debt crisis, and is in talks with lenders to provide it with fresh funding. The floundering utility firm [...]
Water: Tougher regulation will attract ‘global investment’, Steve Reed claims September 5, 2024 Steve Reed has claimed that toughening up water regulation will “attract global investment” to rebuild the UK’s sewage and pipeline infrastructure. The environment secretary today insisted his efforts to reform the under-fire industry—including the threat of prison time for rogue water bosses—would create “growth and opportunity.” It comes after Reed unveiled the Water (Special Measures) [...]
Water bosses risk prison time as government launches crackdown September 4, 2024 Bosses of water companies who obstruct watchdog investigations could face up to two years behind bars, as the government unveils tough new laws to ramp up enforcement. The Water (Special Measures) Bill was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday and will grant sweeping new powers to the Environment Agency (EA), the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat [...]
Water regulator welcomes plan to boost customer compensation August 12, 2024 The water industry watchdog has said it “welcomes” the government’s plan to increase compensation for customers receiving poor services from water companies.
Water executives called in for talks with new Labour environment secretary July 10, 2024 Water bosses have been called in for talks with Labour’s new environment secretary Steve Reed, ahead of key investment rulings from Ofwat.
Starmer: Nationalising debt-laden Thames Water ‘not consistent’ with our fiscal rules July 8, 2024 Nationalising Thames Water would “not be consistent” with Labour’s fiscal rules, the Prime Minister’s spokesman has said.