Thomas Docherty MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Water, responding to Ofwat’s decision to reject Thames Water’s application for a further price rise, said:

“Thames Water must now respect this ruling and end their bid to impose an inflation-busting price rise on households already facing a cost-of-living crisis under the Tories.

“Last week David Cameron promised action on rising water bills, yet all we have seen is one weak letter from his Environment Secretary to the water companies begging for price restraint, proving once again how this Prime Minister only stands up for a privileged few.

“It’s time to require all water companies to participate in a national affordability scheme and a review of the regulator’s powers to intervene in what is another failed market.”