Campaigners say costly new funds will lead to higher bills, which company denies

A group of creditors to troubled Thames Water are poised to vote on whether to grant an emergency £2.4bn loan to keep the company afloat, as campaigners raise concerns it could add £40 to each household’s bills in interest alone.

A consortium of creditors, called London & Valley Water, will vote on Thursday on whether to increase a funding facility for the debt-laden utility company to £5.4bn to keep it operating to autumn 2027.

Two men charged under National Security Act were directed by handler believed to have been working for Iranian intelligence, court told

A group of men were directed to drive vans loaded with petrol to Fairford RAF base by a handler known as Ali, who police believe was working on behalf of Iran, a court heard on Tuesday.

One of the five men tasked with driving to the base called police in the early hours of 27 September after the handler warned the group about a bomb in the vans, prosecutors told Westminster magistrates court.