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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that Ofwat's enforcement case investigation into Thames Water is (a) performed and (b) concluded in a timely manner.

It is not appropriate for the Government to comment on an ongoing investigation. We have a system of independent environmental and economic regulation, and the recently introduced Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies in the next investment period. This includes powers for Ofwat to set rules on remuneration, governance, and financial reporting. The Government will continue to work with regulators to hold water companies to account on poor performance and to drive improvements which benefit customers and the environment.