Government to intervene in water bill price review for first time

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 11:27 · Archive

Ministers will intervene in the next water industry price review, pledging to prioritise affordability and tackle leaks.

The UK government will intervene in water industry price setting for the first time, with Environment Secretary Angela Eagle pledging to end what she calls 'years of failure'. She has written to the water regulator Ofwat and to company chief executives in England and Wales setting out government priorities for the next price review, expected to conclude in 2029 and set bills for 2030–35.

Eagle has directed suppliers to prioritise affordability and value for money, invest in new technology to reduce costs, tackle leaks and sewage overflows, and give local communities and leaders greater decision-making power. Sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said this unprecedented government intervention would sit alongside a 10-year plan expected to be announced following next week's budget, giving government more robust powers to keep bills affordable and direct local investment.

Eagle has also been expected to decide shortly on requests from South West Water and South East Water for permission to impose non-essential use bans, which could result in swimming pools being closed in drought-hit areas.

How it is being reported

• Government to make unprecedented intervention on UK water bill pricesEnvironment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has pledged to end ‘business as usual’The Independent · 24 Oct, 11:08
• UK government to make unprecedented intervention in setting of water billsExclusive: Angela Eagle tells utility bosses next price review ‘must focus on value for money for customers’ UK politics live – latest updates Ministers will make an unprecedented intervention in water bills and how companies prioritise investment, directing bosses to bring down costs and stop leaks and sewage overflows. Angela Eagle, the environment secretary, has told suppliers in England and Wales she plans to intervene in the next price review – conducted by the water regulator, Ofwat. Continue reading...The Guardian · 23 Oct, 14:51

In this story: Angela Eagle · Andy Burnham · Ofwat · England and Wales · South West Water · South East Water

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