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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the final report of the Independent Water Commission, published on 21 July 2025, what progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of that report.

The Government is immediately taking forward a number of Sir Jon’s recommendations. We will establish a new statutory water ombudsman, end operator self-monitoring and introduce Open Monitoring.

Subject to consultation this autumn, the Government will abolish Ofwat and merge its functions to form a single new regulator, which will include a regional element to ensure greater local involvement in water planning. Until the new regulator is fully established, existing regulators will continue to carry out their functions.

The Government will clarify its expectations through a Strategic Policy Statement and ministerial direction, expected to be published later this year. The full response to Sir Jon’s recommendations will be set out in a White Paper for consultation this autumn and a new water reform bill to be introduced early this Parliament.