Defra says it requires expert economic and regulatory advice to design the supervisory approach as it applies to economic regulation, ensuring it integrates effectively with existing frameworks and supports robust regulatory decision-making.

The contract - Water Regulation - Adopting a supervisory approach to the Price Review - has been awarded to Frontier Economics Ltd. Earliest date the contract will be signed is 23 June 2026 – estimated start and end contract dates are 23 June 2026 to 8 October 2026.

The direct award justification to the single supplier is for technical reasons.

Defra says the expertise required for this project is highly technical, spanning a multitude of disciplines.

The department said Frontier Economics had been chosen for the Direct Award given their “unique ability to provide technical expertise” across water industry business planning, economics, financial planning, operational requirements and for extensive background and experience on analysis of previous Price Controls in water and other relevant sectors.

According to Defra, this combination of expertise is not available in the wider market in one contractor and Direct Award is therefore considered appropriate in this instance.