We fully support the need for a Strategic Policy Statement, and also recognise that it needs to be part of the strategic objectives which have been set for Ofwat in legislation. The SPS admirably seeks to give these steers which are, welcomely, significantly more numerous and granular than in the 2017 SPS. We outline our response to Defra’s three key questions and make suggestions for improving the SPS. But we also argue that the SPS would be greatly improved if – either within the document or elsewhere – ministers set out a strategic vision for a future water industry.