Thames Water has launched an appeal to allow it to increase bills by more than the regulator wants to permit. The UK's largest utility company is calling on the competition regulator to overturn a decision from the water industry regulator, Ofwat, which caps bill rises at 35% over the next five years.

A London resident who has been without water for more than three days has said Thames Water’s plan to charge customer even more than previously agreed is “just greed”. Leigh McAlpine, 44, who lives in the SE20 area of Crystal Palace in south London,

British utility Thames Water lodged an appeal to the country's competition regulator on Friday, beginning a process to try to raise the prices it can charge customers for the next five years and improve its chances of survival.

Troubled Thames Water has appealed against an inflation-busting price rise agreed by regulator Ofwat, arguing it was doing so “in the interests of our customers and the environment"

Thames Water is seeking further hikes to customer charges despite facing criticism for substantial bill increases and executive bonuses amidst a backdrop of environmental failings. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Thames Water has already been allowed to increase bills by 35% over the next five years by regulator Ofwat, but they're now asking to raise prices even more