Water Companies: Private Ownership

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Wednesday 29th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

The noble Lord will be aware there is a high bar for the use of a special administration regime but we have made our preparations and are ready for all eventualities, including applying for such a regime, if necessary. While the company is stable, we have stepped up the preparations. It is clear that if it is in serious breach of its principal statutory duties or an enforcement order is appropriate for the company to retain its licence, we will act. We will make sure that it is not at bill payers’ expense.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, going back to the criminal convictions, the water companies currently have 12,000 criminal convictions against them. Can the Minister tell me at what number he will consider these people criminals and not fit to have an operating licence to deliver our water?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I can only repeat what I have already said. It is very simply the case that we are absolutely continuing the regime and approach of the previous Government, but we have done more. We introduced new legislation last year to ensure that we can block executive bonuses, which we have done. We will continue to bear down on water companies and ensure that their executives cannot take unjustified bonuses. We will continue to make sure, through the work and progress of the White Paper, which will be coming shortly for your Lordships’ consideration. We hope there will be legislation next year, although I cannot say what will be in a future King’s Speech. We will make sure that the water companies live up to their obligations to customers and, indeed, the taxpayer.