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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that additional costs on water bills are used to improve storm overflows.

The Government’s Strategic Policy Statement (SPS) for Ofwat which was published in March 2022 makes it clear that protecting and enhancing the nation’s water environment is a priority for this Government. It sets out the Government’s strategic priorities for Ofwat for the next Price Review period. We expect water companies to use the next five-year Price Review period (PR24) to set bold and ambitious plans that deliver for people and the environment. This includes delivering substantial improvements to tackle storm overflows, as well as upgrades to wastewater treatment works and improvements to bathing waters.

New infrastructure will need to be paid for, and while water companies can attract private investment, this will also need to come from customer bills.

Ofwat is currently scrutinising water company business plans for 2025 to 2030 to ensure plans meet the targets for environmental improvements and other obligations and deliver value for money for customers.