Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd (USS), the sole corporate trustee of one of the UK's largest pension funds, has increased its holding in Thames Water to nearly 20%.

More institutional investors have made written submissions to the Competition & Markets Authority expressing their concerns in the current CMA inquiry into appeals by four water companies against Ofwat’s decisions on their AMP7 Business Plans.

First Sentier Investors (FSI), managers of infrastructure assets on behalf of institutional investors in the UK with in excess of £1.2 billion of equity, including an investment in Anglian Water, has told the Competition and Markets Authority it is “disappointed and concerned to see the CMA reversing key aspects of its Provisional Findings”.

Pension funds group IFM Investors (UK) Ltd, one of the largest infrastructure investors globally, is warning the Competition and Markets Authority of its doubts over the stability and long-term attractiveness of the UK water sector.

UK pension funds investors GLIL Infrastructure LP (GLIL) has warned the Competition and Markets Authority that investment in UK regulated utilities is “perilously close to the edge …leading to a negative cycle of low investment, poor returns, inability to attract and motivate strong management teams."

The UK water sector has moved swiftly to rebut Labour Party criticism of private ownership and launch a forceful and detailed defence of the benefits of privatisation in response to plans outlined in the Labour Party Manifesto published today.

Water UK is warning that Labour’s plans to renationalise the water UK companies in England would hit the retirement funds of over five million pensioners who would lose thousands of pounds each.

Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM). one of the largest global institutional investors and the largest money manager in the UK, is warning that companies that fail to take action on climate change will lose its shareholder backing. 

The Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) has revealed that only 13% of savings collectively managed by the world’s 100 largest public pension funds have undergone formal assessment for exposure to climate-related risks, leaving $9.8 trillion (£7.5 trillion) unprotected from the economic shocks of global warming.

Southern Water has outlined its position on dividends and corporate structure, saying no dividends were paid to external shareholders in 2017-18 and that a redundant Cayman Islands subsidiary will be dismantled.