Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory...
Conclusion
Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory functions of Natural England, the Environment Agency, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.59 Government intends to publish a transition plan for the reforms in 2026.60 Farmers will need to engage with this regulator in addition to the ones it currently interacts with, which risks increasing complexity further.
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 1 June 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗