logo
Water bills to see ‘small, steady' rise despite reform plans, says Reed

Water bills to see ‘small, steady' rise despite reform plans, says Reed

Glasgow Times5 days ago
Steve Reed is expected to set out plans for 'root and branch reform' of the water sector on Monday, following the publication of a landmark review of the industry.
Those plans are thought to include action to tackle sewage spills, invest in water infrastructure and the abolition of the industry's beleaguered regulator Ofwat as ministers seek to avoid a repeat of this year's 26% increase in bills.
But while Mr Reed has promised that families will never again see 'huge shock hikes' to their bills, he was unable on Sunday to rule out further above-inflation increases.
Although he told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that bills should be 'as low as possible', he added that there needed to be 'appropriate bill rises' to secure 'appropriate levels of investment'.
He said: 'A small, steady increase in bills is what people expect.'
Environment Secretary Steve Reed is set to announce wide-ranging reform of the water industry on Monday in a bid to boost investment and cut pollution (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Government sources have argued that the recent large rise in bills was necessary to pay for investment in long-neglected infrastructure, but expect Mr Reed's promised reforms to make further rises unnecessary.
Asked about the possibility of expanding social tariffs to help households struggling with bills – a move that could see wealthier families pay more – Mr Reed said he had 'not been convinced yet' that this was necessary.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Reed had pledged to halve sewage pollution in England by 2030, after the Environment Agency said serious pollution incidents had risen by 60% in 2024.
Mr Reed said the measures the Government was taking would enable it to significantly reduce pollution, with the aim of completely eliminating it by 2035 should it be re-elected.
He also suggested to the BBC that he would resign if the 2030 target was not achieved, provided he was still in the same job by then.
The Government has committed to halving sewage pollution in rivers by 2030 (Andrew Matthews/PA)
His comments come before a major report by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is expected to recommend sweeping reform to water regulation on Monday.
Sir Jon has been widely reported to be preparing to recommend the abolition of Ofwat, which has faced criticism over its handling of sewage spills and allowing water companies to pay large dividends while taking on significant debt and missing targets for investing in infrastructure.
On Sunday, Mr Reed would not say whether he would scrap Ofwat, but also declined to say he had confidence in the regulator.
He told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'The regulator is clearly failing.'
Sir Jon's interim report criticised regulation of the water sector, which is split between economic regulator Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
But on Sunday, Conservative shadow communities secretary Kevin Hollinrake said he would be concerned any changes 'might just be shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic'.
He told the BBC: 'It's really important the regulator's effective, and we put in a lot of measures to give Ofwat more powers to regulate the water industry and a lot of those things were very effective.'
Sir Ed Davey said the Lib Dems want a Clean Water Authority to 'hold these water companies to account' (PA)
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he backed scrapping Ofwat, calling for a new Clean Water Authority to 'hold these water companies to account'.
Sir Ed has also called for the Government to go further and aim to eliminate sewage pollution entirely by 2030, saying voters were 'fed up with empty promises from ministers while Britain's waterways continue to be ruined by sewage'.
He added: 'For years water companies have paid out millions in dividends and bonuses. It would be deeply unfair if customers are now made to pick up the tab for this scandal through higher bills.'
Although sweeping regulatory reform is likely to be on the table, full nationalisation of the industry will not be after the Government excluded it from Sir Jon's terms of reference.
Smaller parties such as the Greens have called for nationalisation, while on Sunday Reform UK's Nigel Farage said he would look to strike a deal with the private sector to bring 50% of the water industry under public ownership.
But Mr Farage was unable to say how much this would cost, leading Labour to accuse him of having 'nothing to offer apart from bluster', and shadow Treasury minister Gareth Davies to say he was 'flogging billion-pound promises with no plans to deliver them'.
Mr Reed argued nationalisation would cost 'upwards of £100 billion', diverting resources from the NHS and taking years during which pollution would get worse.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz
Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz

South Wales Guardian

time9 minutes ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz

The PA news agency understands Bayern Munich have returned to discussions with the Premier League champions having had an initial offer of 67.5million euro (£59million) dismissed 10 days ago. Liverpool have maintained they do not want to sell the forward, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona, and Bayern's bid was way below their own valuation of 100m euros (£87m) for an elite forward in the global market. Hugo straight to work 🤩🇫🇷 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 25, 2025 Diaz turns 29 in January and has two years left on his current deal but has not yet had an offer of a new contract. However, Ekitike's arrival in a £79m deal – and Liverpool's continued interest in Alexander Isak, who has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to leave – could provide an escape route for Diaz if the Bundesliga champions can come up with an appropriate offer. 'I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do, but yeah, I like to do everything,' Ekitike told the club's website. 'I can't define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also. 'So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that's what makes me versatile, but you know now in football you need to adapt.' Ekitike trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday having flown out to join them on their pre-season in Hong Kong less than 24 hours after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. The Frenchman is impressed with the summer transfer business, with his arrival taking the unprecedented spending by owners Fenway Sports Group to close to £300m. Florian Wirtz is the headline signing so far but he has also been joined by Jeremie Frimpong, Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. 'This summer transfer window was great for the club, they bring so much quality,' he added. 'I think the team will be better, I'm sure about that. That's why the fans are pretty happy. 'Obviously Liverpool are already on the top but we have still things to reach. That's why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success. 'It's going to be a difficult season and a long season, but we have the quality to reach everything I think. 'I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. 'That's why I think it's the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.'

John Swinney voices ‘regret' after former MP Mhairi Black quits the SNP
John Swinney voices ‘regret' after former MP Mhairi Black quits the SNP

Leader Live

timean hour ago

  • Leader Live

John Swinney voices ‘regret' after former MP Mhairi Black quits the SNP

Ms Black, who spent nine years as an MP, said the party's 'capitulation' on trans rights was part of the reason for her decision. She stressed she still supports Scottish independence but there have been 'too many times' when she did not agree with decisions made by the party. She told The Herald newspaper: 'Basically, for a long time, I've not agreed with quite a few decisions that have been made. 'There have just been too many times when I've thought, 'I don't agree with what you've done there' or the decision or strategy that has been arrived at.' Ms Black said she is 'still just as pro-independence, absolutely', but claimed the party's 'capitulation on LGBT rights, trans rights in particular' had been an issue for her. She added: 'I thought the party could be doing better about Palestine as well.' The former MP said: 'If anything, I'm probably a bit more left-wing than I have been. I don't think I have changed all that much. I feel like the party needs to change a lot more.' Mr Swinney however insisted the SNP will 'champion' LGBT rights under his leadership, adding the party is also using its 'international voice' to push the UK Government to take a more 'robust' stance on Palestine. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'I very much regret the decision that Mhairi Black has come to leave the Scottish National Party. 'I wish it wasn't the case and I wish her well for all that lies ahead. 'The SNP is a party that is addressing the core considerations and concerns of the people of Scotland, around the eradication of child poverty, around ensuring we succeed in our journey to net zero, that we are able to improve the performance of the National Health Service, and we address the cost of living challenge that people face in our society. 'But we're also a party with an international voice, pressuring the United Kingdom Government to be more robust on the steps its take to ensure that the interests of the people of Palestine are addressed and the suffering of the people of Palestine is brought to an end. 'We are a party under my leadership that will champion the rights of all within our society, and making sure that we have the strongest possible position on LGBTQ rights in Scotland.' Ms Black was catapulted into the political limelight in 2015 when she was elected to Westminster at the age of just 20, becoming the youngest MP since 1832. She was elected as the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, ousting the former Labour cabinet secretary Douglas Alexander, as the SNP captured all but three of the seats in Scotland in the first general election since the independence vote in 2014. She became the SNP's deputy leader in the House of Commons when Stephen Flynn took over as group leader. However she stepped down as an MP at the 2024 election, blaming the 'toxic' environment at Westminster. She was also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during her time at Westminster, saying previously the condition was picked up after she became unwell with 'burn-out' during her time as an MP. An SNP spokesperson said: 'The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland, united under John Swinney's vision of creating a better, fairer Scotland for everyone. 'After a year of disappointment and let-downs from the UK Labour Government, it's clear that real change will never come from Westminster and that independence is essential for a better future.'

Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz
Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz

Rhyl Journal

timean hour ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Hugo Ekitike versatility at Liverpool could provide escape route for Luis Diaz

The PA news agency understands Bayern Munich have returned to discussions with the Premier League champions having had an initial offer of 67.5million euro (£59million) dismissed 10 days ago. Liverpool have maintained they do not want to sell the forward, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona, and Bayern's bid was way below their own valuation of 100m euros (£87m) for an elite forward in the global market. Hugo straight to work 🤩🇫🇷 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 25, 2025 Diaz turns 29 in January and has two years left on his current deal but has not yet had an offer of a new contract. However, Ekitike's arrival in a £79m deal – and Liverpool's continued interest in Alexander Isak, who has reportedly told Newcastle he wants to leave – could provide an escape route for Diaz if the Bundesliga champions can come up with an appropriate offer. 'I mean, I do what the coach asks me to do, but yeah, I like to do everything,' Ekitike told the club's website. 'I can't define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also. 'So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that's what makes me versatile, but you know now in football you need to adapt.' Ekitike trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday having flown out to join them on their pre-season in Hong Kong less than 24 hours after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. The Frenchman is impressed with the summer transfer business, with his arrival taking the unprecedented spending by owners Fenway Sports Group to close to £300m. Florian Wirtz is the headline signing so far but he has also been joined by Jeremie Frimpong, Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. 'This summer transfer window was great for the club, they bring so much quality,' he added. 'I think the team will be better, I'm sure about that. That's why the fans are pretty happy. 'Obviously Liverpool are already on the top but we have still things to reach. That's why we want to be the best and need to improve every season to go and reach the success. 'It's going to be a difficult season and a long season, but we have the quality to reach everything I think. 'I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. 'That's why I think it's the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store