INA publications and reports

3 June 2025

INA publishes briefing on the role of independent water companies in accelerating development.

The Independent Networks Association (INA) has published Piping Up, a new briefing (in collaboration with the Social Market Foundation) examining the critical contribution of independent water companies to the UK’s housing and infrastructure development. Based on expert interviews and sector analysis, the paper shows how NAVs deliver faster connections, support housing growth, and advance environmental objectives through water-efficient infrastructure. The report also sets out practical reforms to unlock the full potential of the NAV model, including streamlining licensing, standardising bulk supply charges, and reducing regulatory burdens.

6 March 2023

The Independent Networks Association (INA) has published a report highlighting the benefits of independent network competition in England and Wales’s water and wastewater sectors.

The Independent Networks Association (INA) has published a report highlighting the benefits of independent network competition in England and Wales’s water and wastewater sectors.

The report, titled “The Benefits of Independent Network Competition in the Water and Wastewater Sector,” highlights the positive contribution of the UK’s independent network water companies to economic and social outcomes and how they are providing lower costs, more flexible services, and efficiency, as well as smoothing the flow of new homes onto the market.

New companies in the water sector have gone from 2% of new connections in the market in 2017 to 20% in 2023, and the INA expects this to grow rapidly. But to release the full potential of competition in the sector, the report identifies critical areas – including a streamlined licensing approach to water management and greater transparency from incumbent water companies on pricing – where Ministers and Government could make changes to unlock these benefits.

To learn more about the report and its recommendations, download the report “Benefits of Independent Network Competition in the Water and Wastewater Sector.”

7 June 2021

Independent Networks Association publishes a report highlighting necessary steps toward the successful implementation of the Future Homes Standard

The Independent Networks Association has published a report reviewing the Government’s Future Homes Standard. Produced by EY on behalf of the INA, the report looks at the practical timescales for transitioning to the Standard, the overall fit with a range of de-carbonising heat technologies (e.g. heat pumps) and how it could support the post-Covid economic recovery. The report highlights how the Future Homes Standard is crucial to the delivery of Government policy on achieving zero carbon homes, as well as meeting the Government’s target of building 300,000 new homes per year. The report sets out the steps needed to enable the UK manufacturing sector to lead the implementation of the Future Homes Standard, delivering the means to construct low carbon heating technologies at scale.