Active Announced in the King's Speech on 13 May 2026. 30 events
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Clean Water Bill

The King's Speech 2026 bill for long-term water sector reform, stronger oversight, and action to clean up rivers, lakes and seas following the Cunliffe review and earlier water special measures.

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2026

9 events
14 May 2026 | Policy paper Environment Agency linked direct

Environment Agency business plans

Why linked: Environment Agency business plans policy paper provides the strategic framework within which the Clean Water Bill's regulatory mechanisms will operate.

The Environment Agency business plans are produced annually and set out our priorities.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Environment Agency business plan 2026 to 2027
+2 more
↓ Environment Agency business plan 2025 to 2026 ↓ Environment Agency business plan 2024 to 2025
13 May 2026 | Policy paper British Transport Police Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee Department for Transport Network Rail Office of Rail and Road Regulatory Policy Committee Transport Committee Transport Focus Context · primary home: Tackling State Threats Bill linked direct

The King's Speech 2026 – Background Briefing Notes (PDF)

Why linked: King's Speech 2026 Background Briefing Notes explicitly naming Clean Water Bill as a legislative programme item

The full PDF of the King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes from the Prime Minister's Office, containing dedicated section on the Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill (p.75) setting out the rationale for establishing Great British Railways.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
13 May 2026 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

The Environment Agency (NPS/WR/046495): application made to abstract water

Why linked: Environment Agency's own water abstraction application demonstrates practical operation of water resources management, which is within scope as part of the comprehensive water sector reform framework.

The Environment Agency has made an application to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a licence to abstract (take) water.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ The Environment Agency: application made to abs…
13 May 2026 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs linked commitment

King's Speech announces Clean Water Bill

Why linked: The King's Speech 2026 and official briefing notes announce the Clean Water Bill as part of the government's legislative programme.

The King's Speech 2026 bill for long-term water sector reform, stronger oversight, and action to clean up rivers, lakes and seas following the Cunliffe review and earlier water special measures.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ The King's Speech 2026: background briefing not… (129pp)
12 May 2026 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

NE11 9HS, Northumbrian Water Limited: environmental permit application advertisement – EPR/VP3829PU/A001

Why linked: Northumbrian Water Limited environmental permit application for Wellington Road CSO in Gateshead—directly relevant to CSO reduction and sewage discharge management strategies

View the application submitted by Northumbrian Water Limited for Wellington Road CSO, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9HS

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ NE11 9HS, Northumbrian Water Limited: environme…
12 May 2026 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

DL14 0LF, Northumbrian Water Limited: environmental permit application advertisement – EPR/ZB3891AU/A001

Why linked: Northumbrian Water Limited environmental permit application for CSO (combined sewer overflow) at South Road Upper CSO—directly relevant to sewage discharge and CSO reduction strategies in scope

View the application submitted by Northumbrian Water Limited for South Road Upper CSO, South Road, High Etherley, DL14 0LF

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ DL14 0LF, Northumbrian Water Limited: environme…
11 May 2026 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

DL13 5HX, NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED: environmental permit application advertisement - EPR/ZB3794AT/A001

Why linked: Northumbrian Water Limited environmental permit application for Butterknowle CSO 2—directly relevant to CSO reduction and water company discharge management in scope

View the application submitted by NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED for Butterknowle CSO 2, BUTTERKNOWLE, BISHOP AUCKLAND, DL13 5HX

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ DL13 5HX, NORTHUMBRIAN WATER LIMITED: environme…
8 May 2026 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

LA22 0EF, Volkerstevin Limited: environmental permit application advertisement - EPR/EP3329MQ/A001

Why linked: Volkerstevin Limited environmental permit application for Ambleside WWTW (wastewater treatment works)—relevant to wastewater discharge quality and water company infrastructure tied to discharge standards

View the application submitted by Volkerstevin Limited for Ambleside WWTW, Miller Bridge, Rothay Road, Ambleside, Westmorland and Furness, LA22 0EF

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ LA22 0EF, Volkerstevin Limited: environmental p…
5 May 2026 | Statutory Instrument linked direct

The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 11) Regulations 2026

Why linked: Environment Act 2021 commencement regulations directly relevant to statutory basis and implementation framework for Clean Water Bill

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30) (“the Act”). These are the eleventh commencement regulations made by the Secretary of State under the Act.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

13 events
1 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Environmental Improvement Plan 2025

Why linked: Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 — the cross-government environmental plan laid alongside the Bill's policy direction.

A cross-government plan to restore nature, improve environmental quality and security, build a circular economy, and make nature easier for everyone to access.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 (Prin… (124pp)
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↓ Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025
1 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Wastewater Environment Act target delivery plan

Why linked: Wastewater Environment Act target delivery plan — directly relevant statutory-target implementation document under the Environment Act 2021 regime the Bill builds on.

Outlining the delivery plan for statutory and interim Environment Act targets relating to wastewater.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Wastewater Environment Act target delivery plan
1 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan

Why linked: Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan - implementation of statutory environmental targets relevant to water quality standards

Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan - implementation of statutory environmental targets relevant to water quality standards

In response to: Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Dec 2025 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan

Why linked: Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act target delivery plan — interacts with the Bill's legacy-pollution objectives.

Outlining the delivery plan for statutory and interim Environment Act targets relating to water and abandoned metal mines.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Water and abandoned metal mines Environment Act…
27 Oct 2025 | Consultation outcome Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Welsh Government Context · primary home: Nuclear Regulation Bill linked direct

Exemptions reform to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

Why linked: EPR exemptions-reform consultation outcome (Oct 2025) — directly engages the operational regime under which water-sector enforcement operates.

Consultation on an exemptions reform to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Summary of responses and government response
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↓ Diwygio Esemptiadau i Reoliadau Trwyddedu Amgylcheddol (Cym…
10 Oct 2025 | Guidance Environment Agency linked direct

Annex 4: Environment Act 2021 – the Environment Agency's approach to applying civil sanctions and accepting enforcement undertakings

Why linked: Environment Agency enforcement guidance on civil sanctions under Environment Act 2021 – directly relevant to regulator oversight and statutory powers

Environment Agency enforcement guidance on civil sanctions under Environment Act 2021 – directly relevant to regulator oversight and statutory powers

In response to: Environment Agency enforcement and sanctions policy

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
10 Oct 2025 | Consultation outcome Environment Agency linked direct

Environment Agency proposals on applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions: summary of consultation responses

Why linked: Environment Agency civil sanctions consultation outcome – substantive policy development on regulator enforcement powers under Environment Act 2021

Environment Agency civil sanctions consultation outcome – substantive policy development on regulator enforcement powers under Environment Act 2021

In response to: Applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
10 Oct 2025 | Consultation outcome Environment Agency linked direct

Applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions

Why linked: Environment Agency civil sanctions consultation under Environment Act 2021 – consultation on enforcement mechanisms for environmental compliance regimes

We want your views on a proposed update to the Environment Agency's enforcement and sanctions policy.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions
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↓ Environment Agency proposals on applying Environment Act 20…
26 Aug 2025 | Consultation (closed) Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry

Why linked: Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry (closed Aug 2025) — adjacent EPR reform engaging discharges policy.

This consultation seeks views on reforms to modernise the environmental permitting framework for industry and energy sectors. The consultation sets out a wide variety of regulatory reforms to support innovation in emerging technologies, streamline permitting and provide the regulatory certainty …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Feb 2025 | Act Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs evidence

Water (Special Measures) Act 2025

Why linked: Filled the "Earlier water special measures and their outcomes" gap via web research

The enacted primary legislation (Chapter 5 of 2025) that introduced special measures for water company regulation in England and Wales, including enhanced enforcement powers, executive pay rules, and special administration provisions — the direct legislative predecessor to the Clean Water …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

2 events

2023

4 events
18 Sep 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure

Why linked: National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure (NPS) — operational planning framework for reservoirs/transfer schemes complementing the Bill.

Policies for developing nationally-significant infrastructure projects for water resources in England.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ National Policy Statement for water resources i… (104pp)
17 Feb 2023 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

25 Year Environment Plan

Why linked: 25 Year Environment Plan provides foundational environmental policy context for water quality and river/lake/sea pollution targets that inform the Bill

'A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment', sets out what we will do to improve the environment, within a generation.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the… (151pp)
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↓ At a glance: summary of targets in our 25 year environment … ↓ Annex 1: Supplementary evidence report (145pp) ↓ Annex 2: Government strategies to protect and improve the e… (3pp) ↓ Annex 3: The UK’s international agreements to protect or im… (5pp) ↓ Measuring environmental change: outcome indicator framework… (131pp)
31 Jan 2023 | Statutory Instrument linked direct

The Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023

Why linked: Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023 sets statutory water quality targets under Environment Act 2021, directly implements the framework within which Clean Water Bill reforms operate

These Regulations set the long-term targets in respect of four matters within the priority area of water under section 1 of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30). The Regulations specify the target to be achieved in respect of each matter …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Jan 2023 | Statutory Instrument linked direct

The Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023

Why linked: Environmental Targets (Water) (England) Regulations 2023 — statutory long-term water targets against which the Bill's outcomes will be measured.

These Regulations set the long-term targets in respect of four matters within the priority area of water under section 1 of the Environment Act 2021 (c. 30). The Regulations specify the target to be achieved in respect of each matter …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2022

2 events
11 May 2022 | Consultation outcome Environment Agency linked direct

Review of the water industry national environment programme (WINEP)

Why linked: Consultation outcome on Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) redesign - relevant to statutory duties and environmental compliance regimes for water companies

We want your comments on the proposed redesign of the WINEP and the roadmap which sets out our ambition and plan for long-term change.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Review of the water industry national environme…
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↓ Draft water industry national environment programme methodo… ↓ Review of the water industry national environment programme…
28 Mar 2022 | Policy paper Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs linked direct

Strategic policy statement for Ofwat

Why linked: Strategic policy statement for Ofwat — a standing instrument likely to be re-issued or amended for the new/restructured regulator.

Strategic policy statement setting out the government’s priorities for Ofwat’s regulation of the water sector in England.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ February 2022: The government’s strategic prior…
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↓ September 2017: The government’s strategic priorities for O… (18pp)