Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the proportion of revenue collected from United Utilities customers that is used to meet (a) interest payments and (b) other financing costs; and how that proportion has changed in each of the last ten financial years.

Ofwat is the independent economic regulator for the water industry. It approves allowed revenues, spending priorities, and expected financing costs, and monitors financial performance. Ofwat publishes an annual assessment of company finances.

Ofwat will be replaced by an integrated regulator with greater insight into company finances and enhanced enforcement tools.