MS, Deputy First Minister & Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: I am pleased
to inform the Senedd that, in collaboration with the UK
Government Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs, I have yesterday jointly launched an Independent
Commission to review the water sector and its regulation. This
will be the largest review of the industry since privatisation
and will consider policy and regulation in the water sector on
both sides of the border.
This vital review couldn't come at a more urgent time for our
water environment and water industry. It is a great example of
the fresh approach of our two governments to cross-border
cooperation on an issue which affects us all as consumers,
investors and as stewards of the natural world. Our rivers and
waterways cross borders, and water is a complex and highly
sensitive aspect of the devolution settlement in Wales, which
needs to be considered when developing future arrangements.
Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, , will chair the Commission. The Commission will draw
upon a panel of experts from across the regulatory, environment,
health, engineering, customer, investor and economic sectors, as
well as extensive public consultation. The Commission will report
back next year with recommendations to the Government on how to
tackle issues in the water sector to restore our rivers, lakes
and seas to good health, meet the challenges of the future and
drive green economic growth. The Commission's recommendations
will form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term
investment and clean up our waters for good.
We have clear priorities for reform and a shared sense of the
work that will be needed across both countries' policy and
regulatory regimes to make this change happen. There will need to
be a consensus for action, and this includes where distinctive
solutions are needed in Wales and in England to deliver a reset
and secure a resilient water sector and framework that will work
for the long term. The Commission will consider the unique
situation of the industry and policy approach in Wales and will
include a dedicated representative of the sector in Wales and
seek the views of Wales' experts to ensure the Welsh perspective
is considered at the highest level.
This crucial work will complement the wide range of work on water
quality that is already underway in other areas, including the
reviews of the Control of Agricultural Pollution regulations and
of spreading of organic materials to land. I look forward to
receiving the Commission's report and to our continued
collaboration with our counterparts in England on this vital
issue.
