Three ideas for how to deal with Thames Water

Thames Water faces calls for urgent and more radical intervention, including a possible transfer to public ownership, as concerns grow about its finances and performance. The proposals are being put to Andy Burnham, who has been urged to reconsider existing plans and protect water supplies for the public.

Tax accountant Richard Murphy argues for emergency legislation and a new state-owned company to take over Thames Water’s assets while leaving its debts with the existing company. UCL professor Ewen McGaughey says public ownership using a procedure in the 1991 Water Industry Act could cost close to nothing, while citing estimates of £14.5bn for a one-off nationalisation cost and up to £22bn in extra charges for customers under continued privatisation from 2025 to 2030. Cat Hobbs of We Own It has separately called for the company’s licence to be removed, bill rises blocked and Thames Water brought into public hands.