Regulator to hasten review over concerns that firms are ‘undermining’ rules to make large payments to bosses

The water company bonus ban is set to be tightened after the regulator accused the industry of a risk of “damaging public trust” with large payments to bosses that appeared to get around the rules.

Anglian Water was singled out for particular criticism over “retention payments” worth up to £800,000 for its chief executive, Mark Thurston, despite the bonus ban. Anglian will face increased monitoring of its governance arrangements because of the controversial payments.