Associate Martin Hurst makes the case for more, and meaningful, flexibility in the Price Review (PR24) process in the water sector, and considers what options might exist. This feature first appeared in The Water Report. We would welcome views on this feature for future engagement - please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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This viewpoint by Associates Judith Ward and Maxine Frerk is focused on questions for policy and regulation of gas network decline: customer disconnections from the gas network, possible network stranding and eventual decommissioning. 

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Associate Martin Hurst looks at the issue of water pollution and in particular why we face the glaring problem of raw sewage. This article was first published in Utility Week.

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As we approach a new planning period for the water sector, we risk an overreliance on concrete-heavy infrastructure to tackle pollution. Why is it so hard to shift to a more holistic approach for better environmental outcomes? This feature was based on a roundtable we held with stakeholders and first appeared in The Water Report.

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There is a received wisdom in orthodox economics and treasury theology that argues against governments ‘picking winners’. The classic example that this is not a good idea would be Concorde – a winner ‘picked’ by the UK and French governments which went massively overbudget, and never succeeded in claiming more than a very small niche market with few commercial spin-offs.  

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The Mail on Sunday's recent article “Hard-up customers of energy firm OVO hit with shock emails telling them to pay hundreds of pounds in unexpected charges^[1]” is a stark reminder of two glaring problems in the energy industry. Firstly, Ofgem needs to deliver on its promise to strengthen back-billing protections for customers. Secondly, smart meters need to deliver on their promise of accurate bills.

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