WICS publishes 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts

The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has today (7 January) released its Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25 which reports performance from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025.  

It highlights the considerable progress that has been made strengthening financial controls, governance and management across the organisation. This has included a restructure of its senior leadership team, that has delivered significant savings and greater accountability. 

Chief Executive Officer David Satti said: “WICS exists to ensure customers receive genuine value from their water and wastewater services. 

“In 2024–25, we not only held firm to that core role but also reset the organisation to strengthen governance, restore accountability, and prepare for the long term. 

“Together with the Scottish Government, we agreed and implemented a 21-point action plan, alongside a wider 55-point change programme to strengthen oversight, tighten controls, and embed transparency. 

“WICS is now on a sounder footing, better able to deliver its core role and to meet the standards expected of a public body. 

“As CEO, my personal commitment is clear: to continue delivering value to customers, rebuild trust in WICS, keep transparency and accountability at the heart of everything we do, and create an organisation where people are proud to work.” 

Scotland has benefited from a model where Scottish Water is publicly owned, commercially operated, and subject to robust economic regulation by WICS. Average household bills for 2024–25 are £125 lower than they would have been without regulatory efficiencies, remaining among the lowest in the UK. In addition, since 2002, Scottish Water has invested over £50 more per person than the UK water industry average 

As an independent economic regulator, WICS plays a critical role ensuring that Scottish Water delivers value for money for the people of Scotland. By monitoring and reporting on costs and performance, setting clear expectations, and holding the company to account, WICS ensures Scottish Water operates efficiently, sustainably, and always in the interests of Scottish customers. 

David Satti added: “We continue to challenge Scottish Water to achieve high-quality service levels.  

“Over the period of this annual report, we have strengthened our oversight and refined the data we collect from Scottish Water. 

“This work is critical for setting price caps and monitoring performance. We published detailed business plan guidance and comprehensive data tables, providing a rigorous baseline against which Scottish Water’s future performance can be assessed. 

“This marks a step change in the quality and depth of regulatory information.” 

Through the Strategic Review of Charges, WICS ensures that customers pay no more than necessary for essential water and wastewater services. Earlier this year WICS delivered the methodology for the 2027-33 regulatory control period. 

Shaped by consultation and stakeholder engagement, the methodology sets a clear framework for Scottish Water, embedding customer priorities in decision-making. 

WICS also demonstrated its essential role in protecting customers’ interests by developing a new code of practice for the non-household retail market. Working with Consumer Scotland and Scottish Water, the code gives businesses, charities, and public bodies stronger protections and greater confidence in the services they receive. 

Interim Chair Ronnie Hinds said: “At its heart, our work is focused on delivering tangible benefits to customers—ensuring that Scotland’s water services are high quality and offer best value to the Scottish public now and for years to come. 

“We are committed to regulatory oversight that drives efficiency and innovation, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s water industry. Our annual report and accounts demonstrate how we have embedded this approach in our regulatory work and our internal governance over the past year”. 

ENDS 
For media enquiries please contact: 
press@wics.scot 

Notes to editors 
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) is the economic regulator of the Scottish water industry. Its statutory role is to promote the interests of customers by challenging Scottish Water to improve performance and deliver value. Find out more at https://wics.scot/