Ministers plan legally binding debt targets for England’s water companies

The UK government is crafting plans to impose legally binding debt limits on England's water companies, a move aimed at preventing another corporate collapse like Thames Water's recent crisis. This initiative, spearheaded by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, seeks to ensure these companies maintain manageable debt levels or face legal repercussions. This move is part of broader efforts to potentially bring water companies under public control, a strategy being explored by allies of Andy Burnham. It underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding public utilities and maintaining financial stability in critical sectors.