Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK water companies pledge to cut bills and tackle leakage

Four of England's water giants including Thames Water have announced business plans on Monday (03) to cut leakages and improve services while keeping prices at least flat in real terms after their performance was questioned in the country’s hottest summer season.

Environment Minister Michael Gove urged the water companies to prioritise in tackling water leakage which moved up two per cent to 3.183 billion litres per day in 2017-18.


The strategies are being submitted by the water companies in England and Wales to the regulator Ofwat for the five years starting from 2020. The Water Services Regulation Authority, or Ofwat, is the separate body accountable for economic regulation of the privatised water and sewerage business in England and Wales. Ofwat is expected release its assessment of each company's plan in January 2019.

In its five years development plan starting from 2020, water company, Thames Water has said in a release that, its £11.7 billion investment plan includes £2.1bn to boost resilience and reduce leakage and follows engagement with nearly one million customers over the last three years.

Seven out of its 10 customers approved the final proposals, which contains plans for a four-fold increase in financial support for customers across London and the Thames Valley who struggle to pay.

Also, the company features modest distributions to external shareholders of around £20m annually as Thames prioritises investment in its vast network, with average household bills remaining flat before inflation. The plan will also increase Thames’ financial resilience, with gearing reduced to 76.2 per cent and the ‘equity buffer’ increased to £4.7bn, the company said in its plan submitted.

However, Thames Water has opted to keep its water bills flat for the five years.

Severn Trent in its proposed five years plan aims to reduce its bills by 5 per cent and aims to invest £6.6bn for 2020-2025 period. The company also aims to cut water leakages by 15 per cent.

United Utilities has also announced that it plans to cut water bills by 10.5 per cent in real terms by 2025. if the proposal submitted to Ofwat gets the green signal, then the bills would fall by £45 in real terms by 2025, which will support 2,50,000 customers moving out of water poverty, the company said.

Pennon Group’s South West Water and United Utilities Group Plc, pledges to reduce its average bill lower than it was in 2010 and to spend more than £ one billion to improve services, enhance operational resilience and deliver the largest programme of environmental improvements for 15 years. The company also pledges to offer £20m stake for customers and an enhanced scheme to share success, the company said in its proposed plan.

More For You

Apple India Reroutes 97% of iPhones to US Amid Tariff Push

Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023.

REUTERS

Foxconn sends 97 per cent of India iPhone exports to US amid tariff push

NEARLY all iPhones exported by Foxconn from India between March and May were shipped to the United States, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters.

The data showed that 97 per cent of Foxconn’s iPhone exports during this period went to the US, significantly higher than the 2024 average of 50.3 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Weaker labour market data sparks debate on rate cuts

The Bank of England is weighing inflation signals ahead of rate call

Weaker labour market data sparks debate on rate cuts

PAY growth in Britain slowed sharply and unemployment rose to its highest level in nearly four years in the three months to April, official figures showed on Tuesday (10), potentially reducing the Bank of England’s (BoE) caution over further interest rate cuts.

Wage growth excluding bonuses slowed to 5.2 per cent, the weakest pace since the three months to September, and fell more than expected from 5.5 per cent in January to March this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
London Tech Week: Indian firms show investment intent

Keir Starmer at London Tech Week in London on Monday (9)

London Tech Week: Indian firms show investment intent

MORE THAN 350 technology companies from India joined London Tech Week, which began on Monday – making it the largest-ever delegation from the country to attend the event.

London mayor Sadiq Khan’s office, City Hall, described the rise in Indian participation as a reflection of deepening ties between India and London’s tech sectors, following the recent signing of the India– UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Keep ReadingShow less
London Tech Week

The discussion around inclusivity and parenthood is likely to remain in the spotlight.

Getty Images

London Tech Week: Woman entrepreneur says she was humiliated after being denied entry for bringing baby

A female entrepreneur has said she felt “absolutely humiliated” after being denied entry to London Tech Week because she was accompanied by her 18-month-old daughter.

Davina Schonle, founder and chief executive of AI start-up Humanvantage AI, had travelled from her home to attend the event at Olympia on Monday, 10 June. She said she had made a three-hour journey to London with her daughter, Isabella, only to be turned away on arrival because children were not allowed into the venue.

Keep ReadingShow less
Smartless Mobile launched by podcast trio

The move marks the first commercial spin-off from the Smartless podcast

Getty Images

Smartless podcast trio launches Smartless Mobile as low-cost phone service

The hosts of the popular Smartless podcast, actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, have launched a new mobile phone service in the United States. Called Smartless Mobile, the service offers a budget-friendly alternative to traditional phone plans and is aimed at users who spend most of their time connected to WiFi.

The move marks the first commercial spin-off from the Smartless podcast, which is known for its celebrity interviews and humorous tone. The new venture was announced in early June 2025 and has already begun accepting sign-ups across the US mainland and Puerto Rico.

Keep ReadingShow less