Thames Water chiefs were on the defensive when they appeared in person before the House of Commons EFRA Committee earlier this week in an intensive two hour evidence session which made for compelling – and at times uncomfortable – viewing.

Ofwat is warning average customer water bills could reach over £1,000 by 2050, before inflation - and around £2,000 including the expected impact of inflation.

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) will question the CEO, CFO and Chair of Thames Water as part of its inquiry into reforming the water sector in a public hearing of the Committee at 10am on Tuesday 13 May.

Ofwat has told the Competition and Markets Authority “we stand by our PR24 determinations” as the competition regulator begins the process of examining requests by five water companies to review Ofwat’s decisions on their AMP8 business plans.

The independent Strategic Panel, the most senior governance group in the Business Retail Market, is warning the Independent Commission’s water sector review led by Sir Jon Cunliffe against returning all but the very largest business customers (using >50Ml/year) to incumbent monopoly providers, making the case why businesses of all sizes should remain in the market.

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will take evidence in person tomorrow from senior officials at Ofwat, Environment Agency and RAPID as part of its current inquiry into the efficient use and management of reactive nitrogen in water and agriculture.

The Competition and Markets Authority has published the first submissions from Ofwat and the five water companies for 2024 Price Review appeals, alongside a significant list of submissions from other stakeholders and a detailed timetable for the redeterminations.