UK’s biggest water company secures financial future – for next year at least

Business

Thames Water has secured a £3bn injection to avoid running out of cash.

There were fears the UK’s biggest water supplier, which serves 16 million customers, could have run out of money by Christmas.

But the cash injection secures its financial future for at least the next year, or possibly until the end of May 2026.

The deal reached with creditors, however, is subject to court approval as it involves a restructuring of debt. An interest rate of 9.75% will be payable on the sum.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Thames Water boss can ‘save’ company.

The cash-strapped company has been struggling to secure fresh funds from existing shareholders after they withdrew a promised investment of £500m amid a funding row with industry regulator Ofwat.

Ofwat will make a final determination on how much Thames Water can put up bills and spend at the end of this year.


Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

At that point, the company could apply to the competition regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA deals with appeals against Ofwat’s water company spending and bill-raising determinations.

Thames Water is seeking bill rises of 53% by 2030 meaning an annual bill would rise to £667 a year.

The company has been on the brink of effective nationalisation after it defaulted on some of its £15bn debt.

Read more from Sky News:
Chancellor to change government’s fiscal rules
Spending plans not enough to stop investment fall
Boohoo in CEO row involving Mike Ashley

At the same time, there were a record number of sewage outflows into UK waterways, according to the Environment Agency (EA).

Thames Water’s chief executive Chris Weston described today’s announcement as “good news for the business” and the “best option available for the company”.

Articles You May Like

Two dead and more than 30 injured after coach crashes in Pyrenees
The rise and fall of celebrity hotspot The Groucho Club
$400 million electric heavy equipment order from China is biggest ever (so far)
Channel crossings under Starmer hit new milestone – as Labour vows to tackle migration
Ocean Acidification Study: Carbon Emissions Driving Deeper Chemical Changes in Oceans