Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed announces Labour’s plan to prosecute Thames Water executives for sewage spills if elected, as the company faces scrutiny over increased dumping and customer bill hikes. Labour proposes tougher regulations over water companies instead of nationalization, drawing support from environmental campaigners.
Thames Water executives could face criminal charges for illegal sewage dumping in London waterways if Labour wins the upcoming general election scheduled for July 4, 2024. Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced Labour’s intention to place water companies under special measures to reduce water pollution and prosecute company bosses if they continue to allow sewage spills. Ofwat, the water regulator, would also be empowered to ban bonus payouts linked to spills.
In 2023, Thames Water was reported to have dumped billions of liters of waste into the Thames River for over 9,773 hours, a significant increase from 2022. Concurrently, customers experienced an average bill hike of 12.1%, with potential future increases of up to 40% as the company grapples with debt.
Ofwat is reportedly considering a “recovery regime” for financially strained water companies, including Thames Water, which could reduce or eliminate fines for sewage leaks to enable investment in infrastructure. This move has garnered criticism from various campaigners and political figures who argue it would enable continued pollution and inadequate accountability.
Labour opposes nationalization, citing its high costs and prolonged implementation, preferring stricter regulations and criminal penalties for non-compliant water companies. The plan has garnered support from environmental campaigners, who express frustration with the current regulatory framework.