Water: Reform

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 20 October 2025.

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Photo of Phil Brickell Phil Brickell Labour, Bolton West

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish a water reform white paper.

Photo of Phil Brickell Phil Brickell Labour, Bolton West

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to bring forward a Water Reform Bill.

Photo of Phil Brickell Phil Brickell Labour, Bolton West

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her planned timetable is for the abolition of Ofwat.

Photo of Emma Hardy Emma Hardy The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Government will publish a white paper and introduce a new water reform bill, early this parliament, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the environment, and restore trust and accountability. As part of this reform the Government has committed to create a single powerful regulator responsible for the entire water sector. Ofwat will be abolished, and the new regulator will take responsibility of water functions across Ofwat, Environment Agency, Natural England and Drinking Water Inspectorate.

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Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

white paper

A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.

More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper

White Paper

A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.

More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper