Water (Special Measures) Bill - Government motion to insist on Commons Amendment 2 and to propose Amendment (a) in lieu

What happened: The House of Commons voted on 11 February 2025 to insist on the government's preferred version of Amendment 2 to the Water (Special Measures) Bill, rejecting modifications that the House of Lords had introduced. The government also proposed a replacement amendment (Amendment (a) in lieu) as part of the same motion. The vote passed by 331 ayes to 65 noes, a majority of 266.

Why it matters: The Water (Special Measures) Bill is designed to tighten regulation of water companies in England and Wales, addressing issues including sewage discharges and executive pay. This vote concerned a specific clause where the Lords had sought to strengthen accountability measures beyond what the government proposed. By insisting on its own version and offering a replacement amendment in lieu, the government maintained control over the precise scope and wording of those provisions. The outcome shapes how water companies will be regulated, what powers Ofwat (the water industry regulator) will hold, and what penalties and oversight mechanisms will apply.

The politics: The vote divided almost entirely along government-versus-opposition lines. All 317 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted backed the government, while the Liberal Democrats (63 votes) and Plaid Cymru (4 votes) voted against, preferring the Lords' approach. The Conservatives did not vote at all, with all 116 absent. The four Green MPs voted with the government, as did the Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Unionist representatives. The division reflects a recurring tension in this Bill's passage, with the Lords repeatedly pressing for stronger protections and the Commons, dominated by the Labour majority, consistently restoring the government's preferred text.