Thames chief calls for government action to support water investment delivery

Thames Water chief executive Sarah Bentley has called for a clearer steer from Government in its Strategic Policy Statement (SPS) for Ofwat on the prioritisation of bills versus investment, together with a National Policy Statement (NPS) to enable further infrastructure to be designated for delivery outside of five yearly price cycles.

She was giving evidence to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee inquiry into the work of Ofwat, alongside chief executive of Southern Water, Lawrence Gosden, and chief executive of Welsh Water, Peter Perry,

On the SPS clarity point, Bentley pointed to the example of Ofcom, which she said had been given a clear steer on prioritising investment in the near term over keeping bills down. On the NPS, she highlighted the success of the Thames Tideway Tunnel approach and said step change investments in significant national infrastructure require certainty beyond five years.

Tomorrow at 10.30am, the Committee will take evidence from Ofwat chief executive, David Black, and chair Iain Coucher. This can be watched live on Parliament TV .