Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ofwat on the adequacy of Thames Water’s compliance with its environmental and financial obligations under its operating licence; and whether Thames Water's performance meets any threshold for intervention under the Special Administration Regime (SAR).

Special administration is the ultimate enforcement tool in Ofwat’s regulatory toolkit, and as such the bar is set high. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.