Minister for Water and Flooding (): Today, for the first
time, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, Natural Resources Wales and
the Drinking Water Inspectorate are publishing a joint water
company performance insights report. This reflects the
Government's drive for more integrated regulation of the sector,
leaving companies with nowhere to hide poor performance.
Alongside the Environmental Performance Assessment for 2025 and
Operational Performance Report for 2025-26, it gives the public
an overarching picture of how their water companies are
performing and makes clear where companies are failing to deliver
for the environment. Joined up scrutiny means companies can no
longer point to progress in one area to distract from failures in
another.
The findings show why change cannot wait. Poor performance is
unacceptable. Pollution remains far too high with too many
serious pollution incidents. Only one company achieved the top
four-star environmental rating and four received the lowest
one-star rating the CEOs for these companies will not be eligible
for bonuses under the new rules we have introduced. Too many
customers still face avoidable service failures. Improvements in
some areas do not excuse persistent failings elsewhere. While
drinking water quality remains high, and though there has been
progress in some customer and environmental measures, performance
in other areas continues to fall short.
I am demanding answers from underperforming companies. Ministers
will visit companies with the most serious of pollutions to see
what actions they are taking to prevent them happening again. We
will call in chief executives to challenge failures and
scrutinise delivery of vital infrastructure improvements. My
message to the sector is clear: cut pollution, tackle leaks,
improve customer service and deliver the infrastructure needed to
secure future water supplies. The record investment approved for
2025-30 must translate into visible improvements for customers,
communities and the environmentnot more excuses.
We have strengthened regulators' enforcement powers through the
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. Companies that fail must face
consequences, including fines and prosecutions where performance
falls short. But accountability today must go hand in hand with
lasting reform. Our forthcoming 10-year plan for Britain will set
out stronger public control over water, underpinned by a
strengthened Water Bill. The Secretary of State has already set
out her expectations for the next Price Review to deliver better
value for money for struggling households. More joined-up
regulation now is part of building a water system that protects
the environment, secures supplies and earns back the trust of the
people who pay for it.
