Lord Markham

There are currently no plans to revisit DSIT as a stand-alone Department.

The Government is working with Anglian Water to construct a new fluoride dosing plant to reinstate water fluoridation across Bedfordshire. The project is currently in a detailed design phase, with fluoridation expected to re-commence from June 2027.

The White Paper A New Vision for Water published in January 2026 sets out the Government’s plans to implement the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission. This includes an integrated water regulator to deliver fair and effective regulation that protects and improves public health. A drinking water quality advisory group, including scientific and public health experts, will be given responsibility for making regular recommendations for updating drinking water regulations to ensure value for money whilst helping protect and improve public health.

The maintenance and expansion of water fluoridation schemes are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991 and associated regulations. These provide the requirements that apply to water companies where my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, proposes to enter, vary, or terminate arrangements for fluoridation of water.

There are no current plans to change these requirements through new regulations. However, the White Paper A New Vision for Water published in January 2026 confirms that, as long term reforms to the water industry are delivered, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care to support delivery of 10-Year Health Plan, which includes assessing further expansion of water fluoridation where oral health outcomes are poorest.

Water companies have statutory and regulatory duties to protect and improve public health and actively take steps to meet them. These include completion of risk assessments and the sampling of drinking water supplies that may cause the supply not to be wholesome. “Wholesomeness” is defined in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 as water which does not contain any microorganism, parasite, or substance at a concentration or value which would constitute a potential danger to public health.

Where a water company is also legally required to add fluoride to water supplies to improve public health, it must do so in a way that complies with the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Code of Practice on Technical Aspects of Fluoridation of Water Supplies 2021.

Protecting and improving public health is also a priority in the Government’s planned reforms for the water sector. A new taskforce, led by the Chief Medical Officer for England, will support the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, providing independent and technical advice on public health risks from water and opportunities to improve water treatment and protection.

A New Vision for Water sets out that public health will be considered in new water frameworks and regulations. This will support delivery of shared outcomes, like those in the 10-Year Health Plan, which commits to assessing the further rollout of water fluoridation in areas where oral health outcomes are worst. We will also expand community water fluoridation in the north east of England from 2028 so that it reaches 1.6 million more people by April 2030. We will also refurbish older, existing water fluoridation schemes in England, benefitting a further six million people by 2030.