Despite being billions of pounds in debt, and in the middle of a hosepipe ban, Thames Water has given its chief financial officer a payment of a million pounds.

The ‘golden hello’ was paid to Steve Buck last month after the firm received legal advice over its obligations.

Amy Fairman from River Action says it’s “outrageous” that a “failing” company can do this.

Mr Buck joined Britain’s biggest water company in April 2025.

Business minister Chris McDonald says no-one should be rewarded for “failure”.