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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Water UK’s response to the Independent Water Commission’s Call for Evidence, April 2025.

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend reforms to reset the water sector and is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. It is considering a wide range of areas, as set out in the Commission’s Call for Evidence(opens in a new tab).

The Commission aims to build consensus for a resilient and innovative water sector and a robust wider regulatory framework that will deliver long-term benefits, restore rivers, lakes, and seas to good health, provide a reliable and efficient water supply in a changing climate, and ultimately serve both customers and the environment.

The Commission’s interim Report was published on 03 June 2025; the report's findings can be found at Independent Water Commission publishes interim findings - GOV.UK. The final report and recommendations will be published later in the summer. More than 50,000 submissions were submitted to the Call for Evidence, including Water UK, and the Commission has engaged widely with a range of stakeholders.

Once the Commission has made recommendations, both Governments will respond and consult on proposals. These recommendations are expected to form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good.