Defra Secretary of State speech at UK Water Reception

Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs delivered a speech at the UK Water Reception hosted at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.

"This is a moment for Government and industry to join together to unlock the potential of our water sector and grow our economy in every region of this country.

We need water for economic growth.

Communities can't function without it. Water is essential for every household and business across the country. We need it to grow the food that feeds our families. To build 1.5 million new homes, hospitals, schools and roads. To cool power stations that supply our electricity and the data centres to run our IT systems. 

Water flows through our breathtaking countryside, boosting our tourism and leisure industries.

The public were not aware at the time of the last general election, this country was facing water rationing within ten years.  There was not enough water to meet the growing demands of our population. As David just said, no new reservoirs had been built in 30 years.

Water infrastructure was outdated and crumbling. Leaking pipes wasted valuable water supplies. Record levels of sewage polluted our waterways.

[Political section removed]

In just one year, we've introduced tough new measures to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Including ringfencing customers' money so it can only be spent on what it was intended for: upgrading and improving water infrastructure.

Our Water Special Measures Bill became law in February, giving the regulators new powers to hold water companies to account.

 And Sir Jon Cunliffe, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, will soon complete the biggest review of the water sector in a generation to ensure we have a robust regulatory framework to clean up our waterways, build the infrastructure we need for a reliable water supply, and restore public confidence in this vital economic sector.

He will publish his full findings next week, and the Government response will follow quickly afterwards.

This strong action has laid the groundwork for the sector to move forward.

Today is the start of a new partnership between the water sector and government.

Turning the page on the past to begin a new chapter of growth and opportunity.

The water sector is a priority for economic growth.

We've worked together and secured £104 billion pounds of private sector investment in the water sector over the next five years.

That's the biggest private sector investment into our water sector in its entire history, and the second biggest investment in any part of the economy over the lifetime of this parliament – and getting this investment right matters.

It will build and upgrade infrastructure in every region of the country - cutting sewage in half by 2030 and cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas.

So, parents don't have to worry about letting their children splash about in the water. So, we can experience the majesty of national treasures like Lake Windermere. Or enjoy a moment of calm by going for a swim in nature.

It will fund nine new reservoirs and nine large-scale water transfer schemes, and reduce leaks from water pipes.

So families - like those in Guildford -   don't have to rely on bottled water when their water supply is disrupted. So businesses don't lose profits when they're forced to shut because the taps have run dry. So farmers can keep growing food in the face of increasingly unstable and unpredictable weather patterns.

This vast investment will fuel economic growth.

Over the next 5 years, it will create 30 thousand good, well-paid jobs in every corner of the country.

Jobs that are rooted in the communities they serve.

Money to upgrade roads, schools and hospitals. Encouraging businesses to invest in the area. Attracting more visitors to support rural tourism.

This investment will make sure we can build 1.5 million homes this Parliament, construct major infrastructure projects to support the green energy transition, and power new industries such as data centres that can unlock the UK's AI potential.

This is what we mean when we talk about the Government's Plan for Change.

We must work together to make sure that £104 billion is spent in the best way to secure the improvements we want to see, and in the timescales we want to see them.

Earlier this year, my colleague the Water Minister Emma Hardy and I toured the country to see how this investment will be spent.

Around Cambridge, one of the UK's fastest growing economies, investment in water infrastructure will support 4500 new homes, community facilities such as schools and leisure centres, and office and laboratory space in the city centre.

On the River Avon, Wessex Water are investing £35 million pounds to expand the Saltford Water Recycling Plant, increasing their wastewater treatment capacity by 40% to meet rising demand, and creating local jobs near Bath.

And in Hampshire, work's begun on the Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first reservoir to be built in the South East since the 1970s and when it's full, this will supply water to around 160,000 people and, during construction, it will generate more than £10 million a year to the South East economy,  with construction jobs and apprenticeships.

We need to get spades in the ground in every region.

I've set up a Water Delivery Taskforce to bring together Government, regulators, and water industry representatives, to ensure water companies complete their planned investments on time and on budget - providing value for money for customers.    

The Taskforce will make sure we have the water, wastewater and drainage needed for the new developments and infrastructure that will drive long-term economic growth.

Energy and Utility Skills estimate 43,000 people will be needed to take up jobs in the water industry over the next five years.

That's good, skilled, well paid jobs such as bioresources technicians, hydraulics specialists, engineers, construction workers, and surveyors.

It's imperative we have the skilled workforce in place.

Because without it, all this investment will not be possible.

That's why we're here today. To work together to ensure the industry and supply chain have the capacity to meet our shared ambitions for a successful, growing water sector underpinning a successful, growing economy.

This demands a whole Government approach.

Torsten Bell, the Minister for Pensions, and Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, will both be here today, will give more details on how we plan to do this via our employment and skills programmes.

And I'm delighted that later today I'll sign our ‘Water Skills Pledge' with Alison McGovern, the Minister for Employment - affirming our commitment to ensuring the water sector has the skills and workforce it needs to succeed.

We will work together to show people that a career in the water industry and its supply chain is something they can be proud of for a lifetime.

Something that gives you new skills, exciting challenges and can set you up for life – wherever in this country you live.

These are jobs that make a difference. Making sure people have a reliable, clean water supply, protecting our food security, cleaning up our waterways - and stimulating economic growth in every part of the country to raise living standards and wages and improve people's lives.

This is a fresh start, a moment to build new partnerships and set the direction for the water sector of the future.

We are working together to bring about the change that people in this country voted for last year. It's an exciting time for the water industry, and I'm proud to stand alongside you as we chart the journey forwards to success.

Thank you."