Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In its response to Ofwat’s draft determination on water companies’ plans, Thames proposed raising average yearly water bills to £666.50 per customer by 2030, a 52 per cent rise. Thames Water said Ofwat’s proposed cap “is not tenable and renders our plan uninvestible”. Chris Weston, chief executive of Thames Water, said: “We want to deliver a considerable increase in investment in our infrastructure, with total expenditure of £20.7bn in our core plan and a further £3bn through gated mechanisms.” He added: “The money we’re asking for from customers will be invested in new infrastructure and improving our services for the benefit of households and the environment. It comes after a water industry body warned that Ofwat’s plans to cap water bills could create a “material risk” that suppliers may fail to raise enough cash to invest in stopping sewage leaks.