Thames Water Posts £1.6bn Loss, Seeks Decade-Long Turnaround Amid Debt Crisis

Thames Water, the UK's largest water supplier, posted a £1.6 billion loss for the year ending March 2025, marking a sharp decline from a £157 million profit the previous year. Despite revenue increasing by nearly 9% to £2.7 billion, the company's net debt soared to £16.8 billion amid significant provisions for bad loans, fines, financing costs, and restructuring expenses. CEO Chris Weston warned that it will take at least a decade to turn the business around, emphasizing the need for a recapitalisation plan with senior creditors to stabilize finances and avoid collapse or nationalisation. Operationally, the company made progress in reducing leaks and customer complaints but faced a rise in pollution incidents due to weather-related factors, leading to regulatory fines. Major creditors have proposed a multibillion-pound rescue deal aimed at addressing the root causes of Thames Water's challenges, restoring its balance sheet, and rebuilding customer trust, while calling for forgiveness of historic fines. The firm also highlighted the importance of resetting the regulatory landscape for a sustainable future and has appealed for a better five-year bill settlement to support its turnaround efforts.