VERTEX PROGRESS                                

Vertex, the business process outsourcing arm of United Utilities PLC, today
issues an update on progress on a number of its operations.

Thurrock Council

During April Vertex successfully mobilised the first phase of its �427 million
contract to provide Thurrock Council with business process outsourcing
services, which aim to improve the way in which the council deals with its
citizens. The contract is being managed in conjunction with United Utilities
Contract Solutions, which is providing facilities management, highways
engineering and transportation services to the Council.

During the initial stages of the 15 year contract, around 600 Council employees
working on ten key Council services are transferring to Vertex or United
Utilities Contract Solutions, ranging from business accounting and financial
services to revenue services, procurement and human resources.

Powergen

Vertex has signed a new seven-year contract, with a review point after four
years, with Powergen Retail Ltd, part of E.ON UK. This amends its current
agreement, which began in 2003.

Previously Vertex had been providing customer service activities to around
three and a half million former TXU customers, who were acquired by Powergen in
October 2002. At the same time Powergen was responsible for directly managing
its own two and a half million customers. To enable both companies to maximise
economies of scale, the new longer-term contract will redistribute work on a
functional basis for Powergen's entire six million customer base.

Vertex will expand its current printing activity to include the production of
bills and statements, nearly doubling the level of this activity, whilst
Powergen will take responsibility for the direct management of the majority of
its customer base. Vertex will also continue to manage activities for 430,000
Powergen Staywarm customers, who have between them 850,000 separate gas and/or
electricity accounts. Powergen Staywarm offers a fixed price gas and
electricity service to customers aged over 60.

Second Indian contact centre commissioned

To support growth and new contract wins, Vertex has commissioned a second
contact centre close to its established operations in New Delhi India, which
employs over 1,500 people and is now operating at full capacity.

The new site will have a capacity of around 900 seats, and is being developed
to accommodate growth in Vertex's offshore business. It is envisaged that the
centre will handle work for a number of Vertex's private sector clients,
including The Trainline. It will also provide services to Vertex's subsidiary
First Revenue Assurance (FRA), which is based in Denver, USA. Vertex 
has also recently signed a new three year contract with Orange, which will be
serviced out of Vertex's operations in New Delhi.


For further information on any of these items please contact:

Investors

Simon Bielecki, Investor Relations Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 1925 237033

Mobile: + 44 (0) 7810 157649

Media

Evelyn Brodie, Head of Corporate and Financial Communications

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7307 0309

Mobile: + 44 (0) 7973 306773



END
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