27 Jul 2026
Last week we invited people to sign and comment on our open letter to Maria Eagle, the new Environment Secretary, urging her to reject the last-ditch offer put forward by Thames Water's creditors. So far more than 10,000 people have signed. Add your signature and comments.
Dear Angela Eagle, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Chris Walters, CEO of Ofwat,
Thames Water’s creditors are currently putting forward a fourth proposal to take over the utility, after former Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Ofwat objected to their previous terms.
In a last-ditch effort to protect their interests, the creditors - a group of US hedge funds - are proposing a government ‘golden share’, and increased supervision by local authorities.
We, the undersigned, urge you to reject this deal, and place Thames Water into special administration without delay.
Golden shares will not protect the public interest:
The government retained a golden share in Royal Mail when it was bought by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský in April last year. Since then, prices have increased, services have been cut and millions of letters have been delivered late.
Golden shares were introduced during the privatisation drive of the 1980s and 1990s. They have manifestly failed to maintain public control. In order to break with the mistakes of the past 40 years, this deal must be rejected.
Public supervisory structures will not increase control:
Increased ‘supervision’ by local authorities and regional leaders is - at best - symbolic.
Since 2021, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been represented on United Utilities’ ‘Partnership Board’.
This year, United Utilities pushed the average water bill up to £660. This is despite soaring profits of over £630m in 2025. United Utilities was also responsible for nearly 70,000 sewage discharges in 2025.
Supervisory structures will not ease the cost of living for households, nor afford communities control over their local environment.
Thames Water must be placed into special administration without delay:
Thames Water has created a debt pile of £20 billion. Last year, it caused a third of England’s serious pollution incidents, while increasing bills. Thames Water has failed miserably.
This deal impacts every household in England. By signing it off, you would signal to all privatised water companies that their failures have no consequences.
Former Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Ofwat were absolutely right to object to the Thames Water creditors’ proposals.
The next logical step is to place Thames Water into special administration, where we can write off a greater portion of Thames Water’s debt, and secure a better deal for the public purse.
112 MPs have already signed an open letter, urging the Government to take Thames Water into special administration immediately.
The press has been reporting that Andy Burnham is poised to take Thames Water into special administration, and the public have been eagerly awaiting the decision to put us first for the first time.
I truly hope you take this opportunity to give the public real control over our water.
