The UK Water Partnership has published a white paper on river health and restoring public trust, saying that trust in the management of the UK water environment is at a historic low. The Partnership is warning that many of the recommendations set out in the Independent Water Commission’s landmark report of July 2025 as a blueprint for water sector reform require legislative change - a process that is slow and risks losing public confidence.

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 was warned last week that the designation of private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) as preferred bidder would “inevitably multiply problems” for Thames Water.

Campaigning organisation Surfers Against Sewage has today published its latest Water Quality Report, saying that the report reveals that “sewage is being dumped into our rivers and seas on a scale that defies belief.”

Douglas Millican, former CEO of Scottish Water (2012 – 2023), has been appointed by Sir Jon Cunliffe as an additional member to the Independent Water Commission Advisory Group.

The Independent Water Commission chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe has today published a call for evidence setting out the current issues in the sector and areas for potential change that the commission wishes to explore.

Leading voices from areas including the environment, public health and investment have been announced as the new advisory group to the independent water commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe.