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<p>Ofwat are the economic regulator for the water industry, and it regulates and monitors
the operation of the retail business market. Ofwat published their first annual report
on the market, Open for Business<em>,</em> in July 2018. It identified that small
and medium sized business customers are not yet experiencing the same benefits that
larger customers receive from the retail market, and raised a number of issues that
could be affecting this.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat and Mosl, the market operator, have been
taking a number of actions to investigate further and address these issues, including
for SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat is currently undertaking a further assessment of the
market with a view to publishing their second annual report in July.</p><p> </p><p>My
Department has ongoing discussions with Ofwat and Mosl about these issues and will
discuss the outcomes of the second annual report with Ofwat in due course.</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>Minister Coffey, the Minister responsible for this policy area, requested
that the then Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility,
Margot James MP, use her channels to advertise and promote to small business customers
that they can benefit from the non-household retail water market in England.</p>
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