Labor Will Abolish OFWAT, UK's Broken Water Regulator, Replace It With Agency With Expanded Powers
Ministers are promising the “biggest overhaul of water since privatisation”, as they pledge to take on one of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s 88 recommendations to fix the sector.
Ofwat will be replaced by a “new, single, powerful regulator”, which will also take on water-related responsibilities of the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (as recommended by Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission at 6am this morning).
Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed, says this move will end the “complexity” that is hurting customers.
In a speech at Kingfisher Wharf now, Reed is pledging to strengthen regulation, clean up the country’s rivers and protect the public from soaring water bills.
EDIT
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2025/jul/21/independent-water-commission-fundamental-reform-integrated-regulator-ofwat-jon-cunliffe-business-live