PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(3 July 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timetable is for establishing a statutory Water Ombudsman; what assessment she has made of the powers required to provide effective redress to customers; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of an Ombudsman on access to redress for customers served by water companies operating in coastal communities, including Southern Water.

Asked by:
Alison Griffiths (Conservative)

The Government will establish the Water Ombudsman at the earliest opportunity.

The Government is applying best practice from other sectors, such as energy, communications, finance and rail, to develop a model which includes the powers required to provide effective redress to customers. The Government is also engaging with the relevant regulator and other persons appearing to be representative of persons who have an interest in the matter.

The Government will ensure there are routes for redress and legally binding resolutions for water customers, including those in coastal communities, under the Water Ombudsman when a water company has failed to resolve a customer complaint.

Answered by:
()