Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook, October 2026, Box 6.3, whether his Department is making a formal representation to the Office for National Statistics' review of the public sector classification of water companies; and whether companies will remain on the private balance sheet.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is an independent organisation, and HM Treasury will not attempt to influence the outcome of their review of the statistical classification of water companies. The decision of whether water companies should be classified to the public or private sector is for the ONS.