UK Environment Secretary has ordered a formal review of South East Water's performance, threatening to strip the utility of its licence. This drastic move comes as homes in Kent and Sussex continue to face water outages, sparking outrage over the company's inability to maintain reliable supplies for its customers.

Persistent supply failures have pushed the government to act decisively. South East Water's infrastructure has struggled under demand, a common issue for utilities serving the densely populated Home Counties. Revoking a licence is a rare step, reserved for companies that fundamentally fail their customers and breach regulatory standards.

The regulator will now scrutinize every aspect of the utility's operations. Residents and investors are watching closely, as a licence loss would force a complete operational handover. This situation tests the government's willingness to hold private utilities accountable when service collapses, setting a potential precedent for the wider water sector.