Major review calls for Ofwat to be scrapped as water bills set to soar 30% in next five years
A turning point examination should be replaced with a single body and replaced with a single organ to recover the confidence of the water regulator to the surrounded industry.
According to the final report of the Independent Water Commission, ministers should leave and simplify the system with a strong regulator facing each field.
The report, led by former Bank of England Governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, proposed extensive changes in the form of arrangement as the water system is called “shattered and overlapping”.
88 Wat scrap in favor of a strong regulator is the most important change in the sector.
In addition, the environmental agency and Natural England, which follows the influence of the sector illegally on waterways, be abolished the organizing roles of Natural England.
The existing system has encountered intense criticisms to supervise water companies for the years when the aging infrastructure was torn and sewage rashes paid to those felt and accrued great debts.
Following the publication of the report, Sir Jon warned that water bills would rise almost one -third by the end of a decade.
BBC told Breakfast: “Invoices will increase by 30% in the next five years. There are inevitable facts here. The cost of production and copping with our wastewater is rising. Climate changes, higher environmental standards, demographic pressure, population rises. Only aging infrastructure needs to renew.
“The problem comes when it comes to capture big investments, from suddenly not to invest for a long time. This is what we really see.
“We need to help those who are the most vulnerable, we need to correct them for a long time so that people can cope with higher water costs. And organizers have a really important job to bother productivity, encouraging companies to be more efficient.”
Environmental Secretary Steve Reed said on Sunday, ofwat’s “clearly failed”, and said that he would accept a underlying proposal.
In addition, the voluntary consumer council will expand the role of water and align the sector to the same with other public services will create a new, legally binding water ombudsman.
And at the weekend, Mr. Reed has committed to halving sewage pollution in the UK rivers by 2030 thanks to an investment of £ 104 billion in the raising infrastructure.
Other proposals from the Commission include stronger consumer advocacy, nine new regional water officials to fulfill local priorities, significant improvements in landscaping, and company ownership and more strict supervision of the government.
Regional authorities, a national authority in the UK and Wales, would see the resources of the regulators transferred to ensure that their current planning responsibilities have decreased and investments reflect local priorities and sounds.
The commission comes after about nine months and more than 50,000 response to the call for evidence, after its research and participation.
Sir Jon said: “Restoring the trust took place at the center of our efforts. The invoices are fair, the regulation is effective, water companies will act for the public interest and investors can get a fair return.
“Our suggestions to achieve this are important. These include the management of the entire water system, the regulation of the water industry, the management and financial flexibility of water companies, and a stronger sound for local communities and water customers.
“In this report, I thought about the best for the long -term future of water.
“This is a complex sector with a highly integrated system responsible for the second largest infrastructure program in the UK.
“It is important for all of us to reset this sector and to be proud of the future of our waterways.” In the last nine months, I was impressed by the passion of urgent need and change in countless speeches. “Doing this will require hard work, strong leadership and continuous commitment. But it can be done.
The report also shares which reforms can be presented in the short term and application proposals, including reforms requiring new primary legislation.
In a speech that responds to Sir Jon’s later report on Monday, the environmental secretary will meet the commission’s suggestions to ensure that “the failures of the past can never happen again”.
