Defra seems to be passively waiting for the Water Commission to report before making changes to the system. Defra has acknowledged the need for a complete reset of strategic planning and has committed to accepting the recommendations for the Water Commission, but it expects they may take legislation to fully implement. This scale of change must be carefully managed to avoid making the sector even more unpredictable. Both Defra and the regulators recognise that change cannot wait until the Com...

Defra seems to be passively waiting for the Water Commission to report before making changes to the system. Defra has acknowledged the need for a complete reset of strategic planning and has committed to accepting the recommendations for the Water Commission, but it expects they may take legislation to fully implement. This scale of change must be carefully managed to avoid making the sector even more unpredictable. Both Defra and the regulators recognise that change cannot wait until the Commission makes its recommendations. The EA and Ofwat are working to improve their information sharing, and the EA is planning to increase its water inspec Type: recommendation | Number: 7 | Response status: accepted Government response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation recommendations in full via a White Paper, published for consultation this autumn 2025, and a new Water Reform Bill to be introduced early this Parliament. The government will publish a transition plan along