The Cunliffe Review is set to reshape the United Kingdom’s water sector, representing a pivotal moment to drive transformative change in rainwater management.
As the most significant legislative overhaul since the sector’s privatisation in 1991, the Review offers a unique political opportunity to embed sustainable practices into the water cycle, helping to tackle climate change and enhancing environmental resilience.
Rainwater management is critical to tackling the escalating impacts of climate change, including flooding, storm overflows, water scarcity and net-zero. Currently, political awareness of rainwater’s role in sustainable water systems is limited, yet the urgency to act is undeniable. By integrating solutions such as rainwater harvesting for reuse, sustainable drainage systems, green roofs, and permeable surfaces, policymakers can reduce pressure on ageing infrastructure, improve water quality, and mitigate flood risks.
With the right advocacy, the forthcoming Water Bill, anticipated early next year, can be a vehicle for innovative solutions to manage rainwater effectively, securing cross-party support and public backing.
The Cunliffe Review provides a platform to elevate these solutions and ensure they are central to the government’s legislative agenda.
Seizing the moment
The political landscape throughout the remainder of 2025 offers multiple avenues to advance this agenda. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s upcoming programme, which includes scrutiny of the Independent Water Commission’s final report, provides a forum to advocate for rainwater management as a cornerstone of water security. Meanwhile, party conference season offers opportunities for rainwater management advocates to engage MPs and ministers on water infrastructure and sustainability.
These platforms can amplify the case for legislative changes that prioritise rainwater management, ensuring it is recognised as a critical component of the National Water Strategy (expected as part of the forthcoming post-Cunliffe Water Bill) and potentially the latest Future Homes Standard regulations if required.
And nor does this issue need to be a partisan one. Rainwater management aligns with shared priorities, such as decarbonisation and infrastructure investment, making it an attractive policy for political consensus. The right framing will allow cheerleaders for change to appeal to diverse political interests, from Labour’s focus on green growth to the Conservative’s emphasis on resilient infrastructure.
Alignment with public and political priorities
Public sentiment further strengthens the case for reform. Research conducted in October 2024 indicates that 60% of the public lack confidence in how water is collected, stored, and treated, highlighting a demand for innovative approaches. By aligning rainwater management with public priorities, such as safe drinking water and climate adaptation, policymakers can build trust and support among the wider population.
The economic benefits of prioritising rainwater management also resonate politically, as investment in sustainable water infrastructure can create new, green jobs across the water value chain – in engineering, urban planning, and consultancy. Not only does this align with the Government’s mission to drive green growth, but it also positions the UK as a leader in sustainable water management. In doing so, rainwater management can help deliver both environmental and economic dividends at a time when the wider jobs market is struggling, providing a much-needed political and economic success story.
The Cunliffe Review is a critical opportunity to reform rainwater management through strategic political engagement – dare we say it, a ‘watershed’ moment. By leveraging the forthcoming Water Bill, public support, and cross-party consensus, parliamentarians and Government can embed sustainable rainwater practices in the forthcoming National Water Strategy, ensuring a resilient Britain that manages rainwater better where it lands.
The time to act is now, and the political will to deliver change is within reach.