Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emma Lewell and Liz Twist

Thursday 8th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Emma Lewell (South Shields) (Lab)]

1. What steps he is taking to consult the public on reforms to the water sector.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon and Consett) (Lab)]

4. What steps he is taking to consult the public on reforms to the water sector.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)]

I start by acknowledging, on VE Day, the debt that we all owe to that great generation who sacrificed so much for our freedom. We will remember them and their sacrifice forever.

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to transform our water system and clean up our waterways. The recommendations will form the basis of further legislation to fix our broken water system. A public call for evidence that ran for eight weeks and closed on 23 April received a very high number of responses. Those will be shared in detail when the commission publishes its recommendations. Sir Jon and the commission have held more than 130 meetings, including with regulators, environmental groups, campaigners, investors, water companies and consumer bodies. Engagement will continue ahead of the commission’s recommendations to the Government in a few weeks.