Charity in legal action against minister for failing to act over Thames Water | Water industry

A River Charity is legal proceeded against the Environmental Secretary Steve Reed and is accused of illegal failure to publish the policy of receiving the policy of taking it to the temporary nationalization of failed water companies.

The lawyers of the river action argue that Thames Water has violated its duties and violated the undergraduate conditions seriously and repeatedly, which makes it clear that it is possible for private administration.

It is a temporary bankruptcy and restructuring process for companies that provide basic public services such as private management, water, energy and transportation. The company is designed to ensure the continuity of the service while stabilizing and restructuring.

There is a special management regime (SAR) for the water industry, which was created in 1991 and designed to prioritize customers and services, while financial interests.

Reed said that the government has increased preparations to take Thames Water to private administration, which would be pleased with the company’s creditors’ fines and penalties.

Thames Water’s largest creditors controlled public service and made an effort to reduce some of their debts and offered to provide new financing of £ 5.3 billion to reverse it.

However, Emma Dearnaley, the legal president of River Action, said it is time to use the SAR process now. “Enough is enough,” he said. Neden Why didn’t the Minister of Foreign Affairs use special management to correct the water sector starting from Thames Water?

“The government has the power, but it will not even explain when it can trigger this process. Apparently, the government has no policy. This is a fundamental failure of transparency and accountability and this illegal.”

The river action has applied for a judicial examination against the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The claim argues that the government cannot publish its policy on when it will use the SAR process, violating the basic public law duties, and that ministers cannot develop a policy by violating the obligations of habitat regulations and other planning and environmental laws.

Pursuant to the 24th Chapter of the 1991 Water Industry Law, special administration can be triggered by a water company does not meet performance standards, including environmental pollution and violates legal or undergraduate duties as “serious enough to keep the company’s license”.

River Action argues that Thames Water clearly welcomes this threshold and has done it for years. According to data, serious pollution of Thames and other water companies increased by 60% compared to last year.

According to the figures of the Environmental Agency, there was 75 serious pollution in 2024 in 2024. The three companies were responsible for 61 or 81%of the events :: 33, Southern Water, 15 and Yorkshire Su, 13 and Thames Su, 13. Thames Water’s serious events.

Government spokesman: “We can’t comment on an ongoing legal challenge.” He said.

Thames Water was approached for a comment.