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Ofwat to be scrapped as sewage spills hit record levels

Ofwat to be scrapped as sewage spills hit record levels

Independent21-07-2025
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has confirmed the abolition of water regulator Ofwat as part of a major overhaul of the "broken" water industry.
The new system will consolidate water functions from four different regulators into a single, powerful body.
Mr Reed criticised water companies for prioritising £85bn in shareholder payouts since privatisation over essential infrastructure investment, leading to record sewage pollution and soaring bills.
The changes are based on Sir Jon Cunliffe's report, which also recommended removing regulatory roles from the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Sir Jon warned that water bills are projected to rise by almost a third by the end of the decade due to necessary investment in ageing infrastructure.
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