UK promised ‘biggest overhaul of water regulation in a generation'
The reforms include establishing a new water ombudsman with legal powers to resolve consumer disputes.
The government pledges to halve river pollution by 2030 and eliminate it completely by 2035.
A key recommendation of the reform is expected to be the scrapping of Ofwat and the creation of a new regulator.
This overhaul will involve a £104 billion investment to rebuild the country's crumbling sewage pipes.
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ITV News
28 minutes ago
- ITV News
Signs come down for Manchester's Clean Air Zone after three years
Work has begun to take down hundreds of Clean Air Zone signs as the controversial scheme is "finally put to bed". The divisive project across Greater Manchester has cost more the Government more than £100m, after they instructed local leaders to bring down nitrogen dioxide levels in 2017. More than 1,300 signs were installed across Greater Manchester, warning motorists of daily charges on certain vehicles. But in early 2022, the scheme was paused due to public backlash. Since then, the Clean Air Zone signs have been covered with stickers saying "under review". In January 2025, the Government approved plans from local leaders to meet government clean air targets, arguing that rising costs would stop drivers upgrading their vehicles. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now confirmed that work has begun to take the signs down. In a report, transport bosses said that 'the release of funds' for councils to remove or repurpose the signs, has been approved. Clean air campaigners criticised the decision to scrap the scheme, claiming that it is contributing to an 'epidemic' of serious lung problems and respiratory illnesses, but Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham insists charging motorists would not have helped. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the signs coming down, saying that the scheme is "finally being put to bed". Robert Downes, FSB's development manager in Greater Manchester, said: "While we've known the CAZ was all but dead and buried quite some time ago, it's symbolic and definitive to learn that plans are now in motion to bring down the signage. "Despite all the effort we put in to opposing the CAZ it was, ironically, the signs going up in the first place that triggered the massive reaction from both the business community and the wider public when they woke up to the huge financial implications of what was being proposed. "You only now have to look around the country to see other city regions who rushed ahead with similar schemes to see how they have hammered businesses, many of whom have been forced to close because of the unavoidable costs. "While it may have taken local decision makers a while to come around, it's always better late than never." The Clean Air Zone would have seen taxis, vans, lorries and buses that don't meet emissions standards charged up to £60 a day. Under the new "investment-led" approach, there will no charges. Instead, the government has allowed Greater Manchester to spend £86m on a series of other initiatives including grants to upgrade vehicles and measures to reduce traffic around the city centre. The lion's share of this funding will go towards zero emission and cleaner diesel buses which transport bosses say is already helping. More than 300 electric buses are now in use across Greater Manchester's Bee Network with plans to fully electrify the fleet by 2030. TfGM says this has contributed to air pollution dropping again in 2024. However, 38 places still had illegal levels of nitrogen council leader Eamonn O'Brien, who is the Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester, said: "We've always been focused on doing what's right for Greater Manchester, and by accelerating investment in our public transport network, we're showing that it's possible to improve air quality faster than if a charging Clean Air Zone had been introduced. "Investment in the Bee Network is enabling more people to choose cleaner, greener ways to get around – like public transport and walking or cycling – instead of driving. "As we deliver our Clean Air Plan alongside the Bee Network, with support from the government, we'll roll out the UK's first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by the end of the decade and improve the air we all breathe for generations to come."
Glasgow Times
28 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Trump visit is in the public interest, says Chancellor
Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. US President Donald Trump will touch down in Scotland on Friday evening (PA) 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. First Minister John Swinney will mee the US president during his visit to Scotland (PA) Mr Swinney added: 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The First Minister said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. He also urged those seeking to protest to do so peacefully. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully,' Mr Swinney said. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US president requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Used EVs selling faster than petrol car alternatives as prices plummet
Used car buyers have been taking advantage of plunging electric vehicle prices and snapping up second-hand examples in record time, according to a new report. In July, a used EV is claimed to be selling on Auto Trader in an average of 28 days after first being advertised - that's a day quicker than the market average across all fuel types and four days faster than EVs were shifted a year ago. The online sales platform says interest in second-hand EVs has accelerated in the last week - since the Government announced the reintroduction of an Electric Car Grant (ECG) to discount the price of some new models. With used electric vehicle prices already tumbling as a direct result of manufacturer-driven discounts, the arrival of a taxpayer-funded scheme that further subsidises some new EVs will push second-hand prices even lower, experts have suggested . And there's one premium EV in particular that's now selling in just over a fortnight as prices have tumbled to be on par with - if not cheaper than - petrol equivalents. Tesla Model 3s between three and five years old are currently the fastest-selling used car, taking just 17 days to move on in July. That's almost two weeks faster than the average used car. A 2021 Model 3 with between 35,000 and 40,000 miles on the clock can be had on Auto Trader for less than £16,000 today. For its biggest petrol-powered equivalent, the BMW 3 Series, the cheapest petrol engined example of the same age and mileage is £22,000 or more. Underlining the huge crash in value of pre-owned EVs, three-to-five-year-old Jaguar I-Pace SUVs are the second quickest-selling motors of the month, taking just 18 days to find a buyer on average. The I-Pace, which has been subject to mainstream media criticism due to links to a number of high-profile accidents , has depreciated at such a rate that below-average-mileage are changing hands for around £14,000. It means you can pick up what was originally a £70,000 luxury motor for around the same price as a petrol supermini of the same age. Auto Trader believes the surge in consumer appetite for second-hand EVs has been fuelled, in part, by the government's ECG. It will soon be applied to some sub-£37,000 new models - granted they meet specific manufacturing sustainability criteria yet to be outlined by ministers. It says searches for used EVs under the £37k price point doubled within a day of the announcement. 'The used market will be key to unlocking mainstream adoption, and with a clear electric strategy in place, all retailers should be able to capitalise on the broader opportunity the grant offers,' the only marketplace said. Marc Palmer, head of strategy and insight at Auto Trader, added: 'The clear spike in electric vehicle demand this month is encouraging - whenever EVs make headlines, we consistently see a boost in consumer interest not only for new cars, but in the used EV market as well.' Other EVs to make July's list of fastest-selling used motors are the Hyundai Kona EV and Volkswagen ID.3. Again, this is based on examples between three and five years old. They are selling in 20 and 21 days respectively. Only in-demand petrol-engined compact crossovers including the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma are selling quicker than this. Ian Plummer, the company's commercial director, commented: 'Pricing data shows a significant gap between new EVs and two–to-three-year-old cars as market forces have caused used EVs to match petrol and diesel alternatives to attract buyers. 'While the Electric Car Grant may boost new EV sales, used EVs remain appealing due to their affordability and it's unlikely the grant will either heavily or immediately impact used EV pricing and residual values. 'It was encouraging to see a strong surge of interest in new EVs on Auto Trader immediately post the grant launch, and some of this positivity also flowed into used EVs, as we know the majority of those considering electric will shop both new and used cars.' As for the slowest-selling used motors, no EVs made the top 10 order. The most sluggish of all is something of a shock - the Volkswagen Polo, a supermini that's traditionally very popular in Britain. Year-old examples, which are holding their value well and therefore appear pricey against other options, are taking an average of 50 days - almost two months - to move on, Auto Trader said. Shortly after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander last Monday unveiled Labour's new ECG, industry experts claim it will be a major drain on public spending that will cause used EV prices to plummet. Philip Nothard, insight director at analysts Cox Automotive told us: 'Heavy discounts on new EVs have already dampened demand for nearly new models available in the used car market. 'While driving down the cost of new vehicles will undoubtedly increase the EV adoption in the new market, these incentives fail to recognise the impact they will have on the used market.' Nothard says the grant now threatens to increase depreciation of electric cars up to two years old. 'The used market is a crucial source of profitability for the automotive sector, so the strength and consistency of the industry is crucial to the success of the government's net zero ambitions,' he said. 'To ensure this, the government needs to consider more support for the used EV sector to put the brakes on the rapid pace of depreciation.' British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association chief executive Toby Poston also warned that further stimulating new EV registrations without supporting the used market 'risks creating an even greater supply-and-demand imbalance, putting even more pressure on fast deflating second-hand values'. What is the Electric Car Grant? The Electric Car Grant is the Government's new big hope to drive sales of EVs in the run-up to the end of the decade as it continues to steer towards outlawing the availability of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. It arrives three years after the previous Tory administration prematurely scrapped its Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) . Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the ECG's availability on Monday 15 July, stating: 'The EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money - it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century.' Only cars up to £37,000 qualify for the grant, which rules out premium models, including every Tesla on sale. No Audi, BMW or Mercedes EV will be eligible either. Some 50 existing models are technically eligible for the grants solely based on their starting price. We've listed these below. Manufacturers must apply to be eligible for the scheme with their sub-£37,000 cars on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that motorists will not need to fill in any additional paperwork to receive the grant, with all administration handled by the car maker, dealership, and the Government. But because manufacturers must apply for the scheme, the Department for Transport has told us that we are unlikely to see an initial list of eligible EVs until the first two weeks of August. The new scheme uses a two-tier system based on 'sustainability criteria' to determine the size of the subsidy provided. Only the greenest models - considered 'band one' - receiving the full £3,750 amount. Band two cars with a lower eco rating will be eligible for a reduced amount as low as £1,500. Bands are determined by each maker's Science-Based Target (SBT) - an industry-wide scheme, with manufacturers needing to meet carbon scores below a specific criterion to achieve the highest green standard. Volkswagen and Renault Group have both confirmed they are signed up with the SBT scheme. ECG bands - which could later expand beyond two tiers - will be determined by how much CO2 is emitted in an EV's production, assessing the energy used during assembly as well as battery manufacturing. An overall SBT score is weighted 70 per cent for the CO2 produced during battery manufacturing and 30 per cent for vehicle assembly emissions. Threshold levels to achieve the full £3,750 discount or the lower banded £1,500 have yet to be made public. However, vehicles that don't meet a minimum level will not receive a grant at all. This could be bad news for Chinese EV makers , which currently offer some of the most competitive prices but could fall foul of the emissions-based rules. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme last week, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said she did not expect any cars that are produced in China to be eligible. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards,' she said. 'And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant.' According to The Telegraph, the Chinese embassy has hit hack and the scheme's stringent requirements. It has called on the UK to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and create a 'non-discriminatory environment for investment'. WTO rules stipulate that members must not give favourable treatment to one country over another when it comes to trading goods and services. An embassy spokesperson added: 'The Chinese side is closely following the situation and will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.'
