Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 July 2025
Correspondence from United Utilities regarding environmental information requests dated 8 July 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Reforming the water sector
Summary
United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore writes to EFRA Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael to update on progress responding to Environmental Information Regulations requests following an Information Commissioner's Decision Notice. The company reports strengthened EIR management, publication of compliance performance and a disclosure log, installation of accredited monitors on emergency overflows, and commitment to improved data quality and accessibility.
Key findings
- United Utilities has significantly strengthened EIR management since receiving the Information Commissioner's Decision Notice and four practice recommendations last year
- Company is first in sector to introduce an EIR disclosure log publishing responses to requests including datasets, addressing transparency concerns raised in recent Channel 4 News coverage
- Data release volume increasing: 16 million lines released last year, estimated 17 million this year; company is first to publish EIR compliance performance
- Installing accredited regulatory monitors on hundreds of emergency overflows by 2030 regulatory target date to improve data accuracy and restore public confidence
- Committed to ongoing improvement including extended guidance on data reliability, extended open data sets, and continuous accessibility improvements throughout the year
Tone
SupportiveTopics
Key actors
Louise Beardmore, Alistair Carmichael MP, United Utilities Water Limited, Information Commissioner's Office, Channel 4 News, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Notable line
“We are also the first company in the sector to introduce an EIR disclosure log, which sees us publish the responses to requests we receive, including datasets.”
Key Quotes
“Since receiving the Information Commission Officer's Decision Notice and practice recommendations last year, we have significantly strengthened the way we manage EIRs, and our performance now is much improved.”
“We are also the first company in the sector to introduce an EIR disclosure log, which sees us publish the responses to requests we receive, including datasets.”
“There was a very important point made on the programme about the accuracy of data and how vital this is in restoring public confidence in the sector.”
“I am clear there is still a lot more to do in making information on data and on our progress much more accessible, that it will be a journey of continuous improvement, and I am keen we learn and adapt to feedback.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗