PR19

CMA appeals decision now due mid-March

Final pitches urge CMA to ‘reset the dial’

This week marks one year since the deadline for water companies in England and Wales to accept or reject Ofwat's final determinations for PR19. Ruth Williams delves into the final submissions to the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) - from the appellant companies and the regulator - and recaps the arguments so far.

Water bills to fall amid surge in uptake of support

Household water bills are set to drop by an average of £2 from April, which after inflation will be the same rate as a decade ago. Bills and reductions vary between companies, but most households will save at a time when more customers across England and Wales are accessing payment support schemes than ever before.

CMA pushes back water appeals deadline again

The Competition and Markets Authority has nudged back the estimated date for its PR19 final redeterminations, which are now expected to appear in "late" February. It follows a series of consultations on several areas, including the cost of capital.

Investors express alarm at CMA U-turn

Plotting resilience out to 2100

Water innovation competition kicks off

The first round of Ofwat's innovation competition kicks off today with the Innovation in Water Challenge, inviting ideas and pitches from within and outside the water sector with a chance to win up £250,000 of development funds.

Ofwat rules out 2021 implementation of CMA changes

Ofwat has rejected calls to change its charging rules to let appellant companies implement whatever ruling the CMA determines from April 2021. The updated charges will now not come into place until 2022.

CMA shifts on cost of capital

Has the CMA been handed a chance to compromise?

Ofgem's decision to shift on cost of capital in its final determinations for RIIO2 could be seen to have weakened Ofwat's position in convincing the Competition & Markets Authority to back its original position on returns. Alternatively, it could provide the ideal opportunity for compromise. Ruth Williams looks at the options.

CMA cases informing PR24 approach to engagement

Customer service leads South East digital upgrade

South East Water has moved its customer service systems to a cloud platform that allows it to build apps for ease of interaction with billpayers

Ofwat consults on the water sector of the future to inform PR24

With the water sector less than a year into enacting PR19 business plans, Ofwat has reached out to stakeholders for input on the framework for the next price review. It asks what the sector should look like by 2040 and how to get there considering climate change, investment, affordability and resilience.

The CMA and Ofwat: Another nail in the coffin?

Arguing over price controls is now almost a full-time activity, laments professor and former regulator Stephen Littlechild. Writing for Utility Week, he suggests that the CMA appeals in water may represent an opportunity to overhaul the price control process and move towards a more productive and less confrontational approach.

CMA confirms extension to water company appeals