MP Sarah Dyke has welcomed the publication of the Cunliffe Report and the government's decision to replace the water regulator Ofwat with a tougher oversight body.

The report, released today, sets out 88 recommendations aimed at overhauling the water industry in England and Wales. It was commissioned in response to increasing public concern over sewage spills, rising household bills and the governance of major water companies.

Key proposals include abolishing Ofwat, strengthening consumer protection, enhancing environmental regulation, tightening company governance, and improving public health safeguards linked to water management.

Sarah Dyke said: "As a member of the EFRA Select Committee, I've been actively scrutinising water company practices and pressing for tougher action to end the scandal of sewage dumping, spills, damage to our waterways and exponentially rising water bills."

In her constituency, the MP has previously met with the Chief Executive of Wessex Water and visited the Langport Water Recycling Centre during its £11 million refurbishment to reduce chemical impact on the River Parrett. She also contributed to a Parliamentary debate on sewage in April this year.

"The Liberal Democrats have long been leading the way, and I have long been calling for major reforms to the water industry, including scrapping Ofwat in favour of a new independent water regulator, bans on water industry executives' bonuses until leaks and sewage spills are stopped and full accountability for the damage done to our rivers and seas," she added.

Ms Dyke acknowledged a reduction in serious pollution incidents by Wessex Water in Somerset but warned that overall numbers remain high. "The fight is far from over. The government must now get on with setting up a new, stronger regulator to hold water companies to account."

The Liberal Democrats first proposed replacing Ofwat in 2022 and reaffirmed the policy in their 2024 General Election manifesto.

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