Business reporter, BBC News<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Thames Water has launched an appeal to allow it to increase bills by more than the regulator wants to permit.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Thames, which is in severe financial difficulties already, is also waiting for the courts to approve a \u00a33bn rescue from investors.<\/p>\n But in the longer run, the company says bills also need to rise by more than Ofwat has suggested to cover the costs of investing in water infrastructure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The company, which provides water services in the south-east of England, said the appeal was “in the interests of our customers and the environment”.<\/p>\n Thames has argued bills need to rise by 53% over the five-year period.<\/p>\n Its chairman, Sir Adrian Montague, said bigger bill rises would allow Thames to provide “safe and resilient” water supplies that could cope with the impact of climate change.<\/p>\n Other water companies are also permitted to lodge appeals against bill settlements, which are specific for each utility company. <\/p>\n Thames is the first to have done so, while six others have said they will not appeal: Severn Trent, United Utilities, Pennon plus Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, SES and Hafren.<\/p>\n The settlements are designed to balance the interests of consumers with the needs of companies to raise money for investment, and return profits to shareholders.<\/p>\n![\"PA](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/fa9f\/live\/ce8ce010-eaaf-11ef-a319-fb4e7360c4ec.jpg.webp\")
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