Thames Water under the Microscope: Will the Government Step In?
Rumours are swirling that the UK government is tee‑ing up a takeover of the country’s biggest water supplier, Thames Water. With £15 million of debt piling up, officials are drafting a plan called “Project Timber”—a back‑door manoeuvre that could push the company into the clammy world of nationalisation.
What’s the Deal?
- £15 million “cost‑to‑cure” debt could be tacked onto the public purse, freeing Thames Water’s creditors but saddling taxpayers.
- Under a special administration regime, the company might split into two: one serving London, the other covering the Thames Valley.
- All of this is happening while Ofwat and the government say, “No, we’re not doing this.” But folks aren’t buying it.
Government Talk
Defra, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, is busy “preparing for a range of scenarios.” A spokesperson shrugged: “As a responsible Government, we map out all possible outcomes in our regulated sectors—water included—because the public will want it.”
Liberal Democrat Voice
Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, is waving a banner: “Millions of households & taxpayers deserve to know Thames Water’s fate. This corporate clown show must end now. The secret plans must be published immediately. Thames Water should have been put into special admin long ago, but the Government is too weak to take on this disgraced polluter.”
What Happens Next?
- Official details will likely surface through a press briefing.
- If nationalisation goes ahead, there could be a split, giving city‑wide service to London and valley‑wide coverage elsewhere.
- Suspects of a public outlook on the next steps may culminate in a “special administration” docket filing.
Stay tuned—this isn’t a Quiet River situation, it’s a pretty big splash.
