The long wait is just about over and this blog will also now come back to life. After no less than 5 months since the Water Bill was introduced in the Commons (surely an all-time record for a Government Bill) it is at last about to be given a Second Reading.
Judging from the proposed business programme now published in advance of this Thursday's business statement, it looks as if that statement will include an announcement that Second Reading will take place in the week of 25 November after which the Bill will be referred to a Public Bill Committee, which the business programme indicates must conclude by Tuesday 17 December. That would mean at most 10 committee sittings on 5 days (3, 5,10, 12 and 17 December), so a pretty tight programme, particularly if evidence sessions are programmed , as is now common, for the first 2 days. As the Commons rises for the Christmas recess on 19 December, remaining stages will then have to follow after they come back on 6 January.
What has happened since June? Amongst other things, the Government has published, consulted and reported (18 November) on its proposed flood provisions insurance provisions to be added to the Bill, we have had a mini re-shuffle with Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall, Lib Dem) replacing Richard Benyon (Newbury, Con) as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Sate for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Cathryn Ross has taken up her role as the new chief executive of Ofwat, and the Government, supported by Ofwat, has called on water companies to look closely at any price increases, introduce social tariffs for vulnerable customers and crackdown on bad debt. And behind the scenes, water companies have been busy responding to consultation on their draft water resources management plans, preparing their new business plans (due to be submitted on 2 December) for the 2014 Price Review and, in the case of Thames Water, getting in a bid for an interim price increase now rejected by Ofwat.
We have also had a "taster" debate in the Commons on bonfire night, on a motion introduced by Charlie Elphicke (Dover, Con) "that this House has considered reform and infrastructure of the water industry and consumers' bills" on 5 November, during which, not surprisingly, water company profits, their increased indebtedness, their status as local monopolies, rises in water bills affecting hard working families and leakage got a good airing. Richard Benyon then remarked of his successor that: "I had three and a half years to get my head around the water industry. He has three and a half weeks before the Water Bill comes before the House, but he is a clever fellow and I am sure will be more than a match for the job". Given the complexity of the regulatory regime and the scope of the Bill, he will certainly have his work cut out, so let us wish him well.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
