Water companies could face unlimited fines for polluting – Coffey April 1, 2023 Water companies could face unlimited fines and penalties under new government plans to tackle pollution. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is expected to announce next week plans that ministers believe will “make polluters pay”, with tougher fines levied on water companies put into a “water restoration fund”. It comes as the latest Environment Agency figures showed [...]
UK taxpayers face a £56bn bill if sewage and water systems are to be fixed, House of Lords committee warns March 22, 2023 It will potentially cost £56bn over multiple decades to update the UK’s creaking and outdated water and sewerage systems.
Ofwat and the Environment Agency must have the willpower to fix the water industry March 20, 2023 The heads of both leading watchdogs for the water industry were grilled in Parliament last week by MPs, amid concerns over sewage leaks.
It’s time to move away from burning wood pellets for our energy needs March 13, 2023 The government should ditch the vast subsidies for biomass if it is serious about green energy, argues Nicholas Earl.
How farmers with better data could help prevent future food shortages March 6, 2023 Farmers need access to better data to predict fertiliser prices to ensure the UK's food security, argues the NFU.
Water firms ordered to strengthen supply plans by Ofwat or have their profits slashed March 2, 2023 Ofwat has demanded water companies toughen up their plans to secure reliable water services in the coming decades.
Retailers demand scrapping of ‘£2bn’ waste strategy policy amid fears it will increase consumer costs February 24, 2023 The UK’s largest retailers are urging the government to scrap its waste strategy policy, or risk forcing prices up for consumers who are already facing a cost of living crisis. A draft letter obtained by Sky News, which it is understood will be sent to government officials next week, outlines industry concerns about the costs [...]
Water industry pledges to invest its way out of sewage crisis despite missing spending targets last year February 13, 2023 The government must hold firm with plans to clamp down on sewage spills in the water industry, warns a leading environmental group.
Watered down: Coffey reportedly backing away on plan to fine firms £250m for major sewage leaks February 13, 2023 Therese Coffey is reportedly backing away from plans to hit water companies with fines of up to £250m for spilling sewage into rivers and seas. The Environment Secretary wants to look at a “range of options”, although sources insisted the £250 million proposal remained on the table. Ms Coffey’s Department for the Environment, Food and [...]
Bird flu: Free-range egg rules could be scrapped to help UK farmers rival EU December 29, 2022 Eggs laid by hens kept indoors for months straight could be sold as free-range under a potential relaxing of rules. It comes as egg farmers in the UK have been battling the biggest avian flu outbreak on record, leading to fears of shortages. Under changes being looked at by ministers, there could be a relaxation [...]