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

To ask His Majesty's Government what decisions they have taken about the future status and functions of the Consumer Council for Water; and what planning assumptions they have asked the council to make about (1) whether it will continue as a statutory body, (2) the functions it will retain, and (3) its future staffing and budget.

This Government is considering options for strengthening consumer protection and redress in the water sector. The Consumer Council for Water continues to operate in accordance with its current statutory responsibility and funding arrangements.