Clean Water Bill

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Agriculture water quality Environment Act target delivery plan

Why linked: Agriculture water quality Environment Act target delivery plan — interacts with the Bill's diffuse-pollution objectives.

Outlining the delivery plan for statutory and interim Environment Act targets relating to agriculture water quality.

National Policy Statement: water resources infrastructure

Why linked: National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure - supports understanding of water sector policy framework

Policy for developing nationally significant infrastructure projects for water resources in England.

Water (Special Measures) Act: policy statement

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

In response to: Water (Special Measures) Act: policy statement

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.

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.

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.