Ofwat has told Thames Water that it does not expect dividend distribution by a regulated water company to be rationalised “primarily by reference to an amount required to service an obligation of another group company.”

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it is investigating the completed acquisition by Pennon Group Plc of Sumisho Osaka Gas Water UK Ltd - including its subsidiaries Sutton and East Surrey Water Plc, Summit Water Ltd, and Osaka Gas UK Ltd under the Water Industry Act 1991.

A new report says water reform must be a priority for the next government and that it should commission a comprehensive, independent review of water management, to report within its first twelve months.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has written to Thames Water confirming his decision to grant the utility’s request for a Development Consent Order (DCO) which will eventually see the Teddington direct river abstraction scheme designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

Every storm overflow across the water network in England is now monitored - 100% of storm overflows have now been fitted with Event Duration Monitors (EDMs) to meet the target set by the government to do so by the end of 2023.

Ofwat has announced its decision to modify water companies' licences to introduce customer-focused principles, describing the new licence condition as “an important addition to our regulatory toolkit.”

New Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has written to water company Chief Executives calling on them to go “further and faster” to secure a measurable reduction in sewage spills in the next 12 months and asking them to respond with written plans by 19th December.