Water: Supply and Infrastructure

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Wednesday 14th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his question. Sir Jon Cunliffe is leading the Independent Water Commission in a once-in-a-generation review of the whole water supply system, including regulation. On its terms of reference, it can go wherever it wants in its inquiries. I am sure the noble Lord, given his interest in this area, will have made his own representations in response to the call for evidence. Again, all I can say is that we have secured over £100 billion of investment to spend on improving the water supply. I wish I could stand here and say there are many more reservoirs in train instead of just one, but there are not, and we are where we are. This Government will pick up and clean up the mess the last Government left.

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that several conurbations in England, including Liverpool, Birmingham and London, get their water supplies from reservoirs in Wales. In these circumstances, should permission not be given to obtain increased levels of water capacity from reservoirs in Wales only with the agreement of the Welsh Government?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I did not expect to get on to the balkanisation of water supply, but I will say that the independent commission led by Sir Jon Cunliffe is undertaken on behalf of the UK Government and the Welsh Government. If the noble Lord has concerns about water supply from Wales into England, I am sure that he will be making representations to the Cunliffe review. This is a national water system; it must serve all companies, all businesses and all households in the United Kingdom.