Fury as Thames Water calls for 40% higher bills and lower fines to stave off its collapse

THAMES Water will need to find extra cash itself to avoid a taxpayer bailout, its regulator has said.

- Steph Spyro

The company, struggling under an almost £15billion debt pile, reportedly lobbied to raise customer bills by 40% and face lower fines.

Our largest water firm hopes to agree a deal with regulator Ofwat and the Government to avoid the bailout.

But singer and clean rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey said: "No to bill increase, no to bailout. If it goes bankrupt, it goes bankrupt."

The campaign group Surfers Against Sewage said: "It's outrageous to ask customers to foot the bill when their track record shows they cannot use their money wisely.