Protesters label Thames Water a ‘disgrace’ over £3,000,000,000 bailout
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Campaigners gathered in central London to protest against Thames Water seeking High Court approval for a £3billion loan. The water company says it will go bust by March if it is unable to raise the massive sum. But analysis from campaign group We Own It found if the bailout is granted it will cost the average person who uses Thames Water £250 more a year.
![[epa11782235 Protesters carry placards during a Thames Water bailout protest at the High Court in London, Britain, 17 December 2024. Protesters gathered outside London???s High Court against a Thames Water bailout that would see customers pay an extra 250 British pounds a year to rescue the failing water company. EPA/ANDY RAIN]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233547286-100e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Thames Water said the loan is the first step of the bailout process needed to avoid running out of cash in the spring at the Royal Courts of Justice today. The first step has now been granted, meaning a full hearing will be heard and a final decision made in February.
![[Thames Water protest.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/93230511-0-image-m-22_1734437961496.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=636)
A letter from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution was delivered to the judge hearing Thames’s application by Charlie Maynard, the MP for Witney. It calls for the court to hear submissions from the public on the bailout. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15011367o) Campaigners gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice urging the court to block the Thames Water application for a 3 billion pound bailout, which the campaigners say would cost each household 250 pounds annually. Thames Water bailout hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, England, Uk - 17 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233547419-b78f.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Up Next. Ash Smith, Founder of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, told Metro at the protest: ‘This is frankly a disgrace. We need to be heard. It is about to get very serious for the billpayer. ‘We are already funding a massive amount of debt just to fund Thames Water’s previous unnecessary debts and that could go up hugely.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15011367c) Campaigners gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice urging the court to block the Thames Water application for a 3 billion pound bailout, which the campaigners say would cost each household 250 pounds annually. Thames Water bailout hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, England, Uk - 17 Dec 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233545834-15b8.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
