Thames Water Faces Potential Nationalisation as Bankruptcy Looms

The UK's largest water company struggles under massive debt, with court hearings and investor bids set to determine its future.

Thames Water is grappling with £16 billion in debt and requires £3 billion in emergency funding to avoid insolvency by March 2025.
Some prospective investors are calling for a Special Administration Regime (SAR), a temporary nationalisation plan, to reduce debts and restructure management.
Regulator Ofwat has approved a 35% rise in consumer bills by 2030, but Thames Water claims this increase is insufficient to address its financial needs.
The government has begun contingency planning, including approaching potential administrators, under a project codenamed 'Project Timber.'
Criticism of Thames Water centers on years of high dividends and executive bonuses despite poor infrastructure investment and environmental violations.