It seems Thames is trying to scare the government into thinking the world will end if it falls into ‘special administration’

Make-your-mind-up time approaches for the board of Thames Water. The directors may not like Ofwat’s so-called “final determination” last month – even though it allowed bill increases of 35% over the next five years – but, if they wish to dispute it, they are free to appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The deadline to do so is 18 February.

On the way, however, it seems Thames is engaging in another round of lobbying by trying to terrify the government into thinking the world will end if the company falls into the “special administration regime”, or SAR – the temporary nationalisation setup for failing or bankrupt water companies.