Retail exit measure in the Water Bill

The Water Bill has completed its progress through Parliament and will soon become the Water Act. A government amendment was introduced in the House of Lords to provide incumbent water companies with a mechanism to exit the non-household retail market, subject to the consent of the Secretary of State.

There are a wide range of views in the industry. All companies will want to provide input into the detailed arrangements that would be needed to ensure that any option for companies to voluntarily exit from the non-household retail market did not have unintended consequences.

We therefore view it as positive that the amendment provides appropriate opportunities for full engagement and consultation with all interested parties, and for consideration of all potential implications of allowing voluntary exit from the non-household retail market.

Rob Wesley