Committees

Thames Water

Non-inquiry session

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has invited key decision-makers involved with Thames Water to a public hearing of the Committee on Wednesday 12 July to explain the difficulties facing the company and the water industry more generally.  

On June 27, Thames Water’s Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Bentley, resigned after just two years in the post, shortly after she was reportedly asked to forgo her bonus over a controversy around sewage spills. Media reports suggest that the company has substantial and growing debt, and that the government may be preparing contingency plans in case of its failure. 

The water industry regulator, Ofwat, has previously raised concerns about the financial resilience of other companies in the sector. On Thursday 29 June it was reported that Yorkshire Water is raising £500m from shareholders to shore up its finances.   

The Committee is likely to ask about the causes of the problems facing Thames Water and the potential solutions – and ask whether other water companies may face similar difficulties. The current financial regulations and legal oversight of water utilities may also be probed. Other questions may be asked on issues including water quality, investment and corporate dividends. 

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Tuesday 12 December 2023
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
Thames Water - Oral evidence 12 December 2023
2:30pm
  • Alastair Cochran (Joint Interim CEO at Thames Water)
  • Sir Adrian Montague CBE (Chair at Thames Water)
  • Cathryn Ross (Joint Interim CEO at Thames Water)
3:30pm
  • David Black (CEO at Ofwat)
  • Iain Coucher (Chair at Ofwat)
Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 12 July 2023
9:00am Private
9:15am Public
Thames Water - Oral evidence 12 July 2023
9:15am
  • Alastair Cochran (Joint interim CEO at Thames Water)
  • Sir Adrian Montague CBE (Chair at Thames Water)
  • Cathryn Ross (Joint interim CEO at Thames Water)
10:00am
  • David Black (CEO at Ofwat)
  • Iain Coucher (Chair at Ofwat)
10:45am
  • Rebecca Pow (Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
  • David Hill (Director General Environment, Rural and Marine at Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Room 5, Palace of Westminster

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  • Email: efracom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: General enquiries: 0207 219 1119 | Press enquiries: 020 7219 3138
  • Address: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA