38 h. ago Lammy refers himself to watchdog after fishing illegally with JD Vance

Foreign secretary reports ‘oversight’ to Environment Agency after failing to acquire necessary rod licence David Lammy has referred himself to the environment watchdog after going fishing with JD Vance without the required licence during the US vice-president’s trip to the UK.The foreign secretary hosted Vance and his family at Chevening House in Kent last week, where the pair fished from the property’s private lake. Anglers aged 13 and over must hold a rod licence to fish for freshwater species such as carp in England and Wales. Lammy failed to land a catch, but “all of my kids did”, Vance said. Continue reading...

Events

38 h. ago Is David Lammy on the hook for a £2,500 fine? Blundering Foreign Secretary failed to get a rod licence before fishing with JD Vance (and he also didn't catch anything)

The Foreign Secretary has referred himself to the environment watchdog over the 'administrative oversight' when he cast away with Mr Vance last week.

Economics

44 h. ago Thames Water could be sold to the Chinese after the Labour government puts it into temporary public ownership to 'wipe' much of its £16.8billion debt

Steve Reed, the environment secretary is understood to be making 'active preparations' to essentially nationalise Britain's largest water utility.

Economics

61 h. ago Thames Water crisis plan drawn up by the Government in case of potential collapse

The environment secretary has signed off the appointment of FTI Consulting to assist with contingency planning for putting Britain's biggest water supplier into a special administration regime amid spiralling debts.

Politics

8 d. ago Southern Water applies for permission to draw water from rare chalk stream

Environment secretary urged to stop drought order that could damage the ecology of River Test in HampshireSouthern Water has applied for a drought order that would allow it to draw larger quantities of water than usual from an internationally prized chalk stream and rare salmon habitat.The environment secretary, Steve Reed, has been urged to intervene and stop the water company from “significantly and potentially permanently damaging the river and the ecology within”. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Feargal Sharkey urges Environment Secretary Steve Reed to resign over water bosses' pay, pollution and bills

Former Undertones frontman turned environmental campaigner accused Steve Reed of having ‘no control’ over the water industry

Economics

3 w. ago New ‘powerful’ water regulator to replace ‘failed’ Ofwat in drive to ‘reset’ sector

Environment secretary backs Cunliffe review’s plan to end sewage scandals and financial mismanagement and ‘change the whole system’ in England and Wales• Business live – updatesA new, “powerful” water regulator should replace Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Environment Agency to “reset” a sector tarnished by scandals over sewage spills and financial mismanagement, a major review has recommended.The government is expected to adopt the recommendation for England and Wales made in the review it commissioned from Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, which was released on Monday. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Water industry faces ‘root and branch reform’ after landmark review

Environment Secretary Steve Reed is widely reported to be preparing to abolish regulator Ofwat.

Politics

3 w. ago Government to launch new water ombudsman to boost consumer protection

It will also provide a single point of contact for consumers with complaints.

Politics

3 w. ago Environment Secretary vows to quit job if he can’t plug up Britain’s sewage catastrophe

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has put his job on the line over Britain's waterworks nightmare, saying he will quit his job if he cannot eliminate the being pumped into our rivers

Society

3 w. ago Southern Water boss should refuse ‘outrageous’ pay rise – Environment Secretary

Lawrence Gosden was awarded £691,000 as part of a long-term incentive plan this year on top of his £687,000 fixed pay, the firm’s annual report said.

Economics

3 w. ago Water bills to see ‘small, steady’ rise despite reform plans, says Reed

But the Environment Secretary has promised that families will never again see ‘huge shock hikes’ to their bills.

Politics

3 w. ago Southern Water boss £1.4million pay package branded 'outrageous' by Cabinet minister

Environment Secretary Steve Reed warned Southern Water had not performed well enough to justify the 'outrageous' hike for its chief executive Lawrence Gosden

Economics

3 w. ago Labour vows to make Britain’s rivers cleanest on record by halving sewage pollution

Pledge comes ahead of Monday’s publication of the Independent Water Commission’s landmark review into the ailing water sector

Politics

3 w. ago Environment Secretary pledges to halve sewage pollution by 2030

The Government is preparing to respond to a landmark review into the ailing water sector on Monday.

Politics

3 w. ago Ofwat ‘to be abolished and replaced with new water regulator’

The environment secretary previously said abolishing the regulator is an option

Politics

3 w. ago Serious pollution incidents by English water companies rose 60% last year

Environment Agency records 75 serious incidents among total of 2,800, with Thames Water being worst offenderSerious pollution incidents by water companies were up 60% last year compared with the year before, data has revealed.These incidents are the most environmentally damaging and indicate that the sewage spill or other pollution incident has a serious, extensive or persistent impact on the environment, people or property. They could, for example, result in mass fish deaths in rivers. Continue reading...

Politics