Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Government’s strategic priorities for Ofwat, 2 February 2022, when the review of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction began; and what the timeframe is for its conclusion.

The Security and Emergency Measures review has looked at updating the measures water and sewerage companies are required to take in the interests of national security or to mitigate the effects of a civil emergency. The review commenced in October 2019 but was paused due to Covid pressures on organisational resources. It recommenced in November 2020 and is expected to conclude at the end of February 2022, with the issue of a new direction with updated measures.