Water regulator Ofwat should be scrapped, says review
Overhaul prompted by public anger at pollution and high pay
England’s water regulator Ofwat should be replaced by a new “integrated regulator” for the industry, according to the final recommendations of an Independent Water Commission that was set up to probe the oversight of the sector.
The review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, was commissioned by environment secretary Steve Reed in the wake of public anger about pollution and executive pay.
Cunliffe’s main recommendation is for a new water regulator in England to replace Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate and to assume the water-environment related functions of the Environment Agency and Natural England.
In Wales, Ofwat’s economic responsibilities should be integrated into Natural Resources Wales, an existing body, Cunliffe said.
Reed is making a speech later on Monday in which he is expected to launch a formal consultation into the regulatory overhaul.