The Cunliffe review, the independent water commission review looking into England’s water industry, opened for submissions of evidence today.
The review is headed up by former deputy governor of the Bank of England Sir Jon Cunliffe and it aims to “stand back from the current system and explore, with an open mind, potential changes,” according to its chair.
It comes after multiple high-profile controversies in the English water industry over the last year. The water industry regularly hit headlines in 2024 for the illegal discharging of sewage into waterways and for some water companies coming close to bankruptcy after years of executives receiving large bonuses and shareholders receiving large dividends. Now, to top it off, millions of customers are facing the prospect of rapidly increasing bills.
The opening of submissions follows the announcement earlier this week that the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has become law. The act grants regulators powers to hold companies accountable for environmental violations – including banning performance related bonuses for senior managers.
UNISON will be actively contributing to the review and will bring forward evidence and arguments to ensure the welfare of workers, to reinforce environmental responsibilities and to call for an overhaul of the current system in England that will deliver improvements for workers, consumers, and communities.
In December last year, the union published Water Under Pressure, which highlighted the severe issues caused by the privatisation of the water industry makes the case for renationalisation of the industry.
Speaking on the review, UNISON national secretary for water Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “A comprehensive overhaul of England’s water companies is long overdue, and we hope this will be the first step towards meaningful change in the industry.
“Consumers should not have to pay higher bills in the future on account of corporate greed and a lack of investment over decades. We have long called for greater corporate accountability, enhanced environmental protection, and fair treatment for water sector workers.
“But moreover, UNISON believes a total transformation of the water companies in England via renationalisation will deliver strategic planning, empowered regulation, improved service delivery, and consumer protection.
“It is time that this essential utility is brought back into public hands, and UNISON will engage with the Cunliffe review on behalf of workers and consumers and will put forward the positive case for renationalisation.”
The article Independent review of water industry opens for evidence first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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