Government says water company investigations have increased
- Between July 2024 and March 2025, the UK’s environmental regulator initiated an unprecedented total of 81 criminal investigations targeting water companies across England.
- These investigations follow the Water Act and public anger about water pollution and rising bills at privatised firms.
- The regulator quadrupled inspections last year, targeting major firms including Thames Water with 31 probes and Anglian Water with 22 investigations.
- Environment Secretary Steve Reed called the crackdown a "significant win" and company executives could face prison sentences up to five years for serious offences.
- The surge signals government intent to hold polluting water companies accountable, though concerns remain about future enforcement funding cuts.
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Minister 'ready to take over Thames Water' if it fails
The government is ready to take over Thames Water and keep the taps running for 16 million customers should the company fail, the water minister Emma Hardy has said.She also suggested that regulators such as Ofwat could be abolished unless performance improves.Thames is the UK’s biggest water company, serving London and the south east. But it has been struggling with debt of around £20bn and came close to running out of cash earlier this year be…
·London, United Kingdom
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