Contingency plans

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [The Independent]( June 29, 2023 [View online](   [Morning Headlines]( 1 /[Emergency plans ‘drawn up for Thames Water collapse’ as water firm racks up £14bn debt]( Contingency plans are being drawn up for the collapse of England’s largest water supplier amid fears of a multi-billion taxpayer bailout. Ministers and [regulator Ofwat](have started talks about putting [Thames Water]( into special administration. The company, which serves 15 million customers – about 27 per cent of the population – has debts of £14bn. Any deal would essentially take the company into public ownership, with taxpayers already being clobbered by higher bills likely to pick up the tab. It came after chief executive Sarah Bentley [announced she was stepping down with immediate effect]( after three years in the job. She was forced to give up her bonus after the company’s environmental and customer performance suffered. Thames Water had been found to have discharged raw sewage into rivers where it operates. It has also come under intense scrutiny in recent years because of its bad record on leaks, sewage contamination, executive pay and shareholder dividends.   2 /[Health secretary launches national investigation into NHS mental health scandals after Independent exposés]( Steve Barclay also announced public inquiry into ‘tragic’ mental health deaths across Essex NHS trusts as he said ‘I’d like to thank The Independent for raising awareness of this important issue’ 3 /[Tory in No 10 ‘groper’ row forced out of London mayor race]( Daniel Korski continues to ‘categorically’ deny Daisy Goodwin’s claim he fondled her breast – but says row has become ‘distraction’ 4 /[US Coast Guard recovers ‘presumed human remains’ from sea floor near Titanic sub debris]( Remains from Titan debris will be transferred from Canada to US port on Coast Guard cutter for analysis by medical experts 5 /[Labour scraps pledge to bring in rent controls in latest U-turn]( Lisa Nandy says controlling what landlords can charge could make people homeless THE BIG QUESTION What advances has Ukraine made against Russia? With [Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raging for 16 months,]( Ukraine is now [pushing back with its long-awaited counteroffensive]( that has already recorded a number of gains. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukrainian troops for advancing “in all sectors”, having spent the day presenting awards to front-line soldiers in the east and south. "Today in all sectors, our soldiers made advances. It is a happy day," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, which was delivered from a train after visiting two frontline areas. The president’s office posted four videos of the journey, which he noted covered "hundreds of kilometres.” Encounters in at least three locations were documented. [For the full article click here]( Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   Watch /[28-year-old former lab chimpanzee sees sky for first time]( NUMBER OF THE DAY £5,000 – Drivers could be stung with a fine of up to £5,000 if caught carrying out a common [summer]( error while behind the wheel. [Read more]( QUOTE OF THE DAY “He would say that, wouldn’t he?” – Daisy Goodwin, as she has suggested Daniel Korski may face further allegations of misconduct after she accused the mayoral hopeful of groping her. Mr Korski has “categorically” denied any wrongdoing. [Read more here](   OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE [Twin sisters, 14, among at least 11 dead in Russian missile strike on pizza restaurant in Ukraine]( Macron calls fatal shooting of teenager by police ‘inexcusable’]( [Ashes Test delayed by Just Stop Oil as Jonny Bairstow hauls protester off Lord’s pitch](   Articles available exclusively to subscribers [Joy Lo Dico]( - After another scandal in the cesspit of Pestminster, who will stop the rot?   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [The Race Report]( The Race Report Fortnightly Written by Nadine White [Join now]( [The View from Westminster ]( The View from Westminster Every weekday Written by John Rentoul [Join now](   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge]( and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](: 0808 2000 247 If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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