An independent Commission, headed by Sir Jon Cunliffe, is currently reviewing the water sector regulatory system.91 Defra told us that recognised that the sector needed a “fundamental reset”. Defra told us that the Commission was asked to cover areas including the regulatory system structure for planning as well as strategic planning, what the 84 Qq 80-82 85 C&AG’s Report, para 2.4 86 Q 83 87 Qq 84-85 88 Q 49 89 Qq 17-18 90 Q 9 91 C&AG’s Report, para 7 18 legislative framework looks like, and...

An independent Commission, headed by Sir Jon Cunliffe, is currently reviewing the water sector regulatory system.91 Defra told us that recognised that the sector needed a “fundamental reset”. Defra told us that the Commission was asked to cover areas including the regulatory system structure for planning as well as strategic planning, what the 84 Qq 80-82 85 C&AG’s Report, para 2.4 86 Q 83 87 Qq 84-85 88 Q 49 89 Qq 17-18 90 Q 9 91 C&AG’s Report, para 7 18 legislative framework looks like, and how to reform regulation.92 The NAO report set out its recommendations with the expectation they would be considered alongside the recommendations of th Type: conclusion | Number: 27 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: The Government agrees that the water sector needs a fundamental reset and established the Water Reform Committee to provide independent advice on the long-term strategic direction for the sector. The Committee’s final report, published in March 2024, made a numbe