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 commission Ofwat to provide an assessment of the potential impacts of extending competition to the residential retail water market.

Ofwat has a duty to protect the interests of consumers, wherever appropriate, by promoting effective competition and does this through the economic regulation of the sector.

As part of the Independent Commission’s call for evidence, the Commission sought views on the strengths and limitations of existing competition schemes - as well as potential options for reform - to areas including the New Appointments and Variations market and competitive delivery models for large infrastructure projects.

The Commission is planning on reporting to the government by Q2 2025.