Thames Water to be taken to Supreme Court as part of an appeal
An MP will be appealing to the Supreme Court against the Thames Water restructuring plan
An MP for Oxfordshire has announced he will be appealing to the Supreme Court, and asking them to hear his case against the Thames Water restructuring plan.
Charlie Maynard, Liberal Democrat MP for Witney, argues ‘the public and customer interests should be taken into account for this restructuring plan, given Thames Water provides essential public services and has a monopoly over customers’.
He also argue that the Court should not leave it up to the Secretary of State or Ofwat to decide whether there are any public interest objections.
Mr Maynard said: "For too long Thames Water has got away scot free, polluting waterways, underinvesting in infrastructure whilst customers' bills rocket. This must end.
"The money from our bills should be used to repair water infrastructure, improve customer service, and clean up our rivers, not spent on spiralling interest repayments.
"That's why I am continuing to fight for Thames Water’s 16 million customers, and taking my case to the Supreme Court. Customers must have a voice when these companies are being restructured, rather than just being stuck with the bill."
Thames Water Spokesperson said: “Our liquidity extension plan was sanctioned by the High Court and upheld at the Court of Appeal.
“We remain focused on securing a market-led solution to restoring Thames Water to financial health, and unlocking the funds required to deliver better services and outcomes for our customers and the environment.”
The Liberal Democrats party are calling for an overhaul of the water industry, arguing that Thames Water should be transformed into a public benefit company after being put into Special Administration.
They also say Ofwat should be replaced with a new regulator to hold water companies accountable.
In the House of Commons today, Home Affairs Spokesperson for the Lib Dems, Lisa Smart will be pushing an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to a vote that water company executives should be convicted if they pollute British waterways.
The party say, ‘this would close the current loophole that means water bosses only face convictions if they cover up illegal sewage spills.’