Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Independent commission currently reviewing the water sector's regulatory system, indicating need for fundamental reform.
Conclusion
An independent Commission, headed by Sir Jon Cunliffe, is currently reviewing the water sector regulatory system.91 Defra told us that recognised that the sector needed a “fundamental reset”. Defra told us that the Commission was asked to cover areas including the regulatory system structure for planning as well as strategic planning, what the 84 Qq 80-82 85 C&AG’s Report, para 2.4 86 Q 83 87 Qq 84-85 88 Q 49 89 Qq 17-18 90 Q 9 91 C&AG’s Report, para 7 18 legislative framework looks like, and how to reform regulation.92 The NAO report set out its recommendations with the expectation they would be considered alongside the recommendations of the Commission.93
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 15 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗