Regulatory Podcast Episode 3: The Cunliffe Report- A Blueprint for Water Sector Reform

The Six Pump Court Regulatory podcast is back, and in this episode, host Doug Scott is joined once again by Dr Michael Bowes to discuss the final report of Sir John Cunliffe’s Independent Water Review. The report, described as “dynamic” and “visionary,” proposes nothing short of a structural overhaul of water governance in England and Wales.

Doug and Michael explore the report’s central themes, including the ageing and fragmented water infrastructure, the case for regional system planners, the need for strategic planning over 5, 10, and 25-year horizons, and a move towards truly integrated regulation and governance. They also consider the political and legislative obstacles that could stand in the way of meaningful reform.

Packed with insights, metaphors, and more than a few jokes, the discussion highlights both the report’s transformative potential and the practical challenges that lie ahead.