Three ideas for how to deal with Thames Water

Andy Burnham has been urged to replace the government’s plans for fixing Thames Water with more radical options, amid concerns over the utility’s future. The Guardian’s proposal roundup includes emergency legislation to protect public water supply through rapid creation of a state-owned company, modeled on the 1971 nationalization of Rolls-Royce’s aeronautics arm. A second option is public control via court action, noting Moody’s estimated a one-off £14.5 billion cost in 2019, versus higher costs to consumers tied to returns under Ofwat’s price review if privatization proceeds. Legal scholars argue special administration procedures could reduce costs. The final track highlights that repeated bailouts may leave creditors and shareholders with limited responsibility under UK law.