Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about water industry reform. We all need clean water from our taps, seas which are safe to swim in, and fair and affordable bills.
I support the upcoming Water Bill, which is a central part of the Government’s programme and a priority for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
I welcome the Government’s White Paper, A New Vision for Water, published in January, which lays the groundwork for new legislation on water reform and will drive the transformatory change we need to ensure a resilient and sustainable water system that works for customers and the environment.
The White Paper proposes a single, more powerful regulator to eliminate the current confusion, duplication and gaps in regulatory oversight, and an independent water ombudsman to resolve consumer disputes fairly. It emphasises a prevention-first approach, introducing an MOT for water company infrastructure and a performance improvement regime to allow the regulator to step in faster. There will also be reforms to regional planning to bring together all parties to tackle pollution and manage resources.
I also support the tightening of agricultural standards to reduce pollution at source. I welcome work by the Water and Farming Ministers to bring together representatives from farming, environmental groups and water companies under the Addressing Pollution from Agriculture programme. These representatives will meet regularly to look at ways to tackle agricultural pollution.
I was pleased to learn that Ofwat blocked £4 million in water company bonuses in the first year of its new rule preventing bonuses that do not meet Ofwat’s expectations being paid for by consumers. I supported the Government’s Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 which introduced this rule.
As you may know, the Government has pledged to publish a transition plan this year to ensure stable water industry reform, working alongside the Welsh Government.
I’m unsure as to whether I can attend the WaterAid drop-in on 18th March due to ministerial commitments but thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.
Best wishes
Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South