Six water firms banned from bonuses for bosses

SIX water companies have been banned from paying bonuses to senior bosses, under new rules that come into force today - but South West Water is not among them.

- CAITLIN DOHERTY

Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Wessex Water, United Utilities and Southern Water have been told that they cannot issue bonuses for the financial year 2024/25, which concluded in April.

They have all been banned under new rules which prevent bonuses from being paid if a water company does not meet environmental or consumer standards, does not meet financial resilience requirements, or is convicted of a criminal offence.

The six companies are not under an indefinite ban, and those firms may be able to offer rewards for the 2025/26 year, provided they stick within Ofwat rules, under the Water (Special Measures) Act. If a company pays a bonus while it is under a ban, the water regulator Ofwat has the power to get the money back.