Water company bosses' total pay rose over the past year despite a government bonus ban and mounting public anger over sewage pollution and higher bills, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Water company bosses' total pay rose over the past year despite a government bonus ban, the Guardian reports.
- Eight companies expect to be covered by the ban for 2025-26.
- Anglian Water chief executive Mark Thurston received £1.9m, including a £500,000 'retention payment'.
- The increases come amid public outrage over pollution and bills.
Water company bosses’ total pay rose over the past year despite a government bonus ban and public outrage over pollution and bills, according to an exclusive report by the Guardian.
The findings come at a time of heightened public scrutiny of the water sector, which has faced sustained criticism over sewage discharges and increases to customer bills.
According to the Guardian, eight companies expect to be covered by the ban for the 2025-26 period. The measure was intended to curb executive rewards at firms under fire for their environmental and financial performance.
One example highlighted by the Guardian is Mark Thurston, the chief executive of Anglian Water, who received £1.9m. That figure included a £500,000 ‘retention payment’, which was paid despite the bonus ban.
The report indicates that overall pay for water bosses climbed even as the government sought to rein in bonuses, raising questions about how effective the ban has been in practice.
The Guardian’s reporting places these pay outcomes against a backdrop of continuing anger from the public over both the cost of water bills and the level of pollution linked to the industry.
Why it matters
Water bills and sewage pollution affect millions of households, and executive pay at the companies responsible is a lightning rod for public trust. If a government bonus ban does not prevent overall pay from rising, it raises questions about whether such policies can hold the sector accountable.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the Anglian Water chief executive receive?
According to the Guardian, Anglian Water chief executive Mark Thurston received £1.9m, which included a £500,000 'retention payment' despite the bonus ban.
How many water companies are covered by the bonus ban?
The Guardian reports that eight companies expect to be covered by the ban for 2025-26.
Did the bonus ban stop water bosses' pay from rising?
No. According to the Guardian, water company bosses' total pay rose over the past year despite the government bonus ban.