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27 Mar 2008 10:36 AM
Ofwat sets out its approach to 2009 price review

WATER SERVICES REGULATION AUTHORITY News Release (07/08) issued by The Government News Network on 27 March 2008

Ofwat today published its guidance for companies on how it will go about setting price limits for customers' water and sewerage bills for five years from 2010-15. It takes account of responses to its consultation paper published last October.

The approach has its foundations in the robust challenges that Ofwat has always brought to its scrutiny of companies' business plans. Ofwat will set price limits that deliver best value now and in the future.

The guidance also supports Ofwat's work in developing competition in customers' interests.

Ofwat Chief Executive Regina Finn said:

"We are setting price limits at a time when the water sector is facing demanding challenges, including climate change, population growth and rising energy costs. Companies will need to be innovative and creative if they are to meet these challenges while delivering water and sewerage services at prices that customers regard as fair.

"At present our price limits are set for these monopoly businesses to protect customers who cannot choose their supplier. But we are moving towards an approach that promotes real competition and this might include setting separate price limits for different parts of the water and sewerage businesses in the future."

Much of Ofwat's approach is tried and tested. But the water regulator will also be seeking to set price limits that take account of the long-term needs of consumers, and the pressures on the water sector. The process will include a new form of incentive-based regulation for capital expenditure that encourages each company to submit a realistic business plan.

Regina Finn said:

"We asked companies to develop and publish 25-year strategic direction statements, encouraging them to set out how they plan to meet their customers' long-term needs. This innovation will help each company to develop a business plan that will safeguard high-quality sustainable services for its customers today and for future generations."

The next step in the 2009 price review process will be for each company to submit a draft business plan to Ofwat by 11 August 2008.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) is the economic regulator of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. It exercises its powers in a way that it judges will protect the interests of consumers, promote value and safeguard future water and sewerage services by allowing efficient companies to carry out their functions properly, and finance them.

2. The PR09 methodology paper published today, 'Setting price limits for 2010-15: Framework and approach' is available on the Ofwat website, http://www.ofwat.gov.uk and from the Ofwat Library on 0121 625 1373.

3. The consultation paper, 'Setting price limits for 2010-15: Framework and approach - a consultation paper', was published last October and is available on the Ofwat website, http://www.ofwat.gov.uk and from the Ofwat Library on 0121 625 1373.

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