The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) this morning welcomed the news that the UK Government’s Water Bill has received Royal Assent.

The Water Bill introduces provisions to create a competitive market for retail water and sewerage services for all businesses and public sector organisations in England. The retail market currently operates only in Scotland.

 The Commission’s Chief Executive, Alan Sutherland said:

 “Non-household customers in Scotland have been enjoying the benefits of a competitive retail market since 2008. We therefore very much welcome the fact that similar arrangements are now being developed in England and we look forward to seeing a much larger Anglo-Scottish market from 2017.”

"Customers in Scotland have seen improved services, lower bills and much more tailored services, including advice on water efficiency and other environmental services. The new market will benefit both business and, ultimately, household customers and will be particularly helpful for companies such as chains or public sector organisations that operate nationally."

 The Commission is now working with other stakeholders including the water companies, Ofwat and the Open Water programme to ensure that the market will deliver benefits for customers in a seamless, efficient way and at lowest cost.

 Alan Sutherland added:

“There is a great deal of work to do between now and 2017 when the market is set to open. In designing the market a primary concern will be to ensure that business and public sector customers have access to consistent and transparent information about the choices and opportunities available to them, and can act on this information with ease. We will also be keen to ensure that new entrants are able to compete on an even footing with the current regional monopolies.”