The Draft Water Bill has been heavily criticised by key players in the water industry who have described it as a “disappointment” and being “a sideshow” to the bigger issues such as flooding, drought and affordability.

Water regulator Ofwat has issued a consultation on changing its approach to information provision in a bid to “empower” consumers.

A key Government adviser has said that the Government’s new Water Bill will not address the serious challenges posed by flood risk – and that massive additional investment will be required.

There is still no formal legal requirement for Lead Local Flood Authorities to implement their flood risk management strategies by a specified deadline, despite criticism from a Parliamentary Committee.

Ofwat has suggested in its response to a consultation that the Government’s proposed change to the special merger regime in the water sector could be “detrimental” to its ability to protect customers.

Graeme Young, EU & Competition Partner at Dundas & Wilson LLP, looks at the proposed Government reforms to the existing inset regime contained in the draft Water Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament.

Water industry regulator Ofwat has launched a new consultation on the 2014 price review on the utilities’ business plans for the period 2015 to 2020 – which appears to be running under a remarkably tight deadline.