The Rivers Trust is glad to see that the Government is taking action on water, but we caution that the focus on water company ownership in the public debate will not be a silver bullet in restoring rivers to a wild, healthy, natural state. Holding water companies to account with stronger measures, and giving Mayors a leading role in regional partnerships, are potentially positive first steps, but we need to see the Government broaden its focus to the whole water system and dramatically improve regulation, as set out in the Water White Paper earlier this year.

Whilst ownership matters and influences governance and accountability, there is no clear evidence that any particular ownership model, whether public, private, or not-for-profit, can guarantee sufficient environmental outcomes on its own. Focus on water company ownership should not obscure the wider environmental pressures rivers are facing. We need to see action on a wider range of issues including sewage, agricultural run-off, chemicals, and the multiple other sources of pollution and climate change-induced pressures that all impact water quality, quantity and security. That demands a holistic approach to water management.

This latest development follows Government plans announced earlier this year for new regional bodies with powers to hold water companies to account which could be transformational for our broken water system. It is vital that these regional bodies are underpinned with greatly improved data and evidence, properly funded catchment partnerships, and a robust legislative framework which prioritises the health of our water environment and makes the best use of resources.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive at The Rivers Trust, said: "Water is a vital public resource and the way the water sector is governed must put the health of our rivers and the long-term interests of communities and the environment first. Whichever water ownership model emerges, it remains critical that the whole water system is properly regulated and that funds are invested more intelligently to build the water environment's resilience to climate change and population growth through a holistic approach.

We want to see the same level of focus on agriculture, industry, highways, and planning as the Government is now showing on water companies, and more integrated solutions being developed to address multiple pressures on the water environment at once. We urge the Government to rapidly bring forward an ambitious Water Bill that delivers the radical reform that is long overdue."