Thames Water creditors vote on £2.4bn emergency loan amid bill rise fears

A group of creditors to Thames Water, the UK's largest water utility, is set to vote on Thursday on an emergency £2.4bn loan to keep the company afloat. The consortium, London & Valley Water, will decide whether to increase its funding facility to £5.4bn, extending the company's operations until autumn 2027. The vote comes as Thames Water faces severe financial strain, with cash reserves running low and debts exceeding £15bn. Campaigners warn that the costly new funds could add £40 to each household's annual bills in interest alone, but Thames Water denies that bills will rise as a result. The outcome will be closely watched by regulators, customers, and investors, as it could shape the future of the UK's water sector and its affordability for millions of households.