Official figures showed higher spending on public services, while national debt hit levels last seen in the early 1960s.

Average bills for Thames Water customers could rise to as much as £696 a year under the proposals put forward on Wednesday.

Businesses in areas thought to be targets for disorder have prepared by boarding up their shop fronts, planning to close early and working from home.

Under new rules introduced last year, water companies with poor financial and environmental records are not allowed to pay dividends.