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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the operation of Thames Water; and whether they intend to intervene to ensure fair prices for customers.

The Government is carefully monitoring the situation with Thames Water and the company remains stable. It is Ofwat's responsibility to independently scrutinise water company business plans, ensure that the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate and monitor and hold water companies accountable for delivery.

Thames Water has sought a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for redetermination. Just as Ofwat conducts the price review process at a distance from the Government, the CMA also conduct their redetermination process independently and it would therefore be inappropriate for the Government to comment on the precise details of each company’s case.