Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
42nd Report - Water sector regulation
Public Accounts Committee
HC 824
Published 18 July 2025
Conclusions (1)
3
Conclusion
Deferred
Defra and the Environment Agency have been far too slow in planning for the future and this now hinders economic growth. Recommendations this Committee made to Defra five years ago around accelerating the pace of investment have not been acted on, which has proved to be shortsighted. Water companies now …
Government Response Summary
The government agreed with the recommendation, stating that the Environment Agency (EA) already monitors and enforces compliance with discharge permits. However, it did not commit to the specific requests for the EA to write to the Committee or publish a monthly list of delayed developments, instead referring to water company investment and Ofwat's proposed mid-AMP growth reopener.