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 report, Preparing for a drier future, England’s water infrastructure needs, published by the National Infrastructure Commission in April 2018, and the recent hosepipe ban in the North West, what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies to reduce the volume of mains water lost to leaks.

Total leakage has fallen by a third since 1994, following investment by water companies. However, there is still more to do.

The 25 year environment plan sets out the Government’s ambitions for reducing demand on water resources. This includes support for Ofwat’s target for water companies to reduce leakage by 15% by 2025.

The Government will respond to the National Infrastructure Commission’s report later this year.