Water: Supply and Infrastructure

Baroness Winterton of Doncaster Excerpts

Wednesday 14th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[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.

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

My Lords, my noble friend the Minister referred to the water resource management plans. Will he consider requiring water companies, when they publish these plans, to set out the implications for the workforce? What are the apprenticeship opportunities? What are the job and training opportunities? We could then see what it means in terms of regional growth, reducing regional inequalities and stimulating regional economies. Could he talk to Ministers in other departments about making this happen and perhaps start with Yorkshire Water, for example?

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. It is an interesting idea, and I would be very happy to take it up with government colleagues. To be absolutely clear, the investment that we have secured is not good simply for the water supply, it is good for our economy. The £104 billion will create tens of thousands of jobs across the country. It will improve regional economic performance in places such as Yorkshire and further afield, and it will allow us to stimulate economic growth across the regions as well as improving the water supply.