(by Karma Loveday) Ofwat is consulting until 18 February on changing the market codes to introduce a Cost Recovery Mechanism (CRM) and Cashflow Support Tool (CST), and associated guidance, designed to strengthen the Interim Supply Arrangements. This is to protect customers when a retailer collapses or otherwise unexpectedly leaves the market. In July 2024, the regulator decided to allow retailers to recover efficiently incurred costs where they act as interim supplier, to mak

(by Karma Loveday) Arup is to take full ownership of its EnTrade joint venture with the YTL UK Group. The nature recovery marketplace started out as an independent business of Wessex Water in 2018. Last February, Wessex parent YTL entered partnership with Arup. Now, Arup is to take full control, with the EnTrade team —  including its pioneering managing director Guy Thompson — standing down. Arup said it plans to establish EnTrade's Environmental Markets Board, which provide

(by Karma Loveday) Scottish Water is to increase charges by 8.67% in nominal terms for the 2026/27 charging year, starting on 1 April. The average household combined bill will rise by £3.50 a month, or £42 a year, to £532 a year, which the company pointed out is still among the lowest in the UK. The rise is within WICS’ final determination range for the 2021-27 period, which allows an increase of  CPI+12.6% over the six years. Scottish Water held charges below inflation from

(by Karma Loveday) Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, led a lively Westminster Hall debate last week on the enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act. The thrust of his case was that while the Act promised to clamp down on undeserved executive bonuses and poor service, the reality has proved different: “In the months since its introduction, we have seen companies complying with the letter of the law while confidence continues to drain away.

(by Karma Loveday) The UK Government published A new vision for water last week – its response to the work of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission. Most of the Cunliffe recommendations have been adopted, creating a wide reform agenda. The paper is high level, with lots of detail still to follow – but it provides welcome clarity on the direction of travel and the ‘what’. A Transition Plan, expected in March (and likely to be subject to update and change subsequentl

(by Karma Loveday) The UK Government published A new vision for water yesterday – its response to the work of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission. Most of the Cunliffe recommendations have been adopted, creating a wide reform agenda. The paper is high level, with lots of detail still to follow – but it provides welcome clarity on the direction of travel and the ‘what’. A Transition Plan, expected in March (and likely to be subject to update and change subsequentl

(by Karma Loveday and Verity Mitchell) Repeat water supply failures – compounded by widely criticised communications and incident response – has left South East Water (SEW) this week facing five investigations, more Parliamentary scrutiny and calls for both its operating licence to be withdrawn and its leadership team to be sacked.  Situation recap Tunbridge Wells has been at the centre of the problems, suffering a sustained outage and boil water notice before Christmas cause

(by Karma Loveday) In the year to the end of March 2025, the Environmental Improvement Plan’s (EIP) third goal – for clean and plentiful water – remained largely off track. That was among the conclusions of the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) fourth statutory report on the Government’s progress in delivering its EIP. Progress towards the water goal in the year, and past water trends, were mixed. The water story echoed that of the wider environmental picture (see t

(by Karma Loveday) Defra has reappointed Sarah Mukherjee and Mark Suthern to the Environment Agency board, to serve second terms of 12 months, starting 10 January.  Anglian Water has awarded the technical contracts to develop its two upcoming desalination plants, in Lincolnshire and Norfolk. TYPSA-Stantec, a joint venture (JV), supported by Acciona Agua, has been awarded the role of Primary Desalination Technical Partner (DTP), working with Anglian from January 2026. They

(by Karma Loveday) MOSL has published its draft business plan for 2026/27, for trading parties to comment on until 28 January. This set out five key programmes of work for the year:  Smart meter read hub Settlement strategy Strategic data programme Open data Modernisation of market systems. In addition, the plan outlined initiatives that will transition into core services during 2026/27, including the Market Performance Framework (MPF) Reform, the Bilaterals Hub and the Strat