The water white paper : second report of session 2012-13, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

The Committee heard persuasive evidence about the environmental damage caused by over-abstraction.

The reform of abstraction licenses must be brought forward as the Government's current plans - to reform the abstraction regime by the mid-to-late 2020s - will not take effect rapidly enough given that our rivers are already running dry.

Defra must also work with Ofwat and the Environment Agency to tackle urgently those abstractions which are already causing severe damage to our rivers.

It is "extremely disappointing" that the White Paper fails to set a target to increase levels of water metering.

The report also highlights how bad debt in the water sector adds around GBP15 to each household's water bill every year.

Defra must implement existing legal provisions rapidly to tackle this problem.

The Committee also examines proposals to increase competition in the sector.

They conclude that Defra should set a clear target date for opening a competitive retail market for water, and should take account of lessons that can be learned from Scotland.

The Committee believes that the White Paper's proposals will fail to deliver a well-functioning retail market and suggests how to remedy this. The Government also needs to take action to encourage the development of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which can reduce the risk of flooding, and to implement the relevant outstanding provisions of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

It is "deeply worrying" that the Government had not yet reached an agreement with insurers about providing cover for homes in areas of flood risk