Home›Global Markets›Europe›UK regulator allows five water firms to raise bills

UK regulator allows five water firms to raise bills

The decision permits additional bill increases tied to infrastructure funding for new housing and data centres, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticized the move and urged more public control over the privatised sector.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Europe

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he is “angry” after the UK regulator approved five water companies to raise bills, a step Burnham described as part of broader work on giving the public more control in the privatised water industry.

Burnham said the government is “looking at how we can give the public more control,” while offering no further detail on what specific measures it might consider. He previously vowed “more public control” but has not taken action yet, including on whether to delay a decision on putting Thames Water into special administration.

The coverage also highlights criticism that customers have been paying more for years alongside record levels of serious pollution incidents and ongoing leaks. Burnham said customers cannot be treated as a blank cheque, adding that the government will challenge attempts to pass unnecessary costs on to households.

The regulator’s ruling comes as the approved bill changes are linked to infrastructure funding for new housing and data centres, according to the live business coverage.

More like this

Sources