South East Water boss resigns after weeks of supply failures
The chief executive of South East Water has resigned after weeks of supply failures left thousands of households without running water. Regulator Ofwat opened a formal investigation into the company, and political pressure for renationalisation is rising again.
South East Water chief executive David Hinton has stepped down after weeks of supply failures left thousands of households in Kent and Sussex without running water. The company has now suffered three large-scale outages this summer alone.
Regulator Ofwat has opened a formal investigation into whether the firm neglected mandatory infrastructure investment. The Environment Department warned it would consider invoking emergency powers if the company cannot present a credible recovery plan within three months.
Last month's decision to renationalise the major rail operator GWR has reignited a wider debate about reversing privatisation. The Labour left now wants the same treatment for the water sector. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government is still resisting full nationalisation, but the political space for that position is shrinking quickly.
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