Latest news with #CCW
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Campaigners and industry respond to ‘once-in-a-generation' water reform report
Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said public trust in water companies had been 'drained' by poor environmental performance and wider service failures. The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry. Mr Keil said: 'The commission has set out significant changes to the regulatory system. 'But water companies have always had the freedom to do what's right by their customers – and many have made bad choices.' Mr Keil said affordability must be a key focus of reform, with households already struggling following this year's sharp rise in water bills. 'More people are turning to CCW to complain about not being able to afford their bill,' he said. 'Over two in five households have told us they've cut spending on essentials like food to make ends meet. 'The case for a single social tariff for water has never been more urgent.' He welcomed recommendations to make the existing voluntary ombudsman scheme mandatory, saying: 'We're delighted the commission has recommended building on our work at a time when we're seeing more people turn to us for help.' But River Action chief executive James Wallace accused the commission of falling short, saying it had 'blinked' when faced with a chance to break with the past. 'This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset a broken and corrupted system,' he said. 'Instead, we've been handed vague policy nudges that leave the current failed privatised water company model intact.' Mr Wallace said nothing less than 'a credible plan to rescue Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' was needed, including a clear path to bring 'failing companies like Thames Water into public control'. He called on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration as a 'powerful statement of intent', warning: 'Our water is our life-blood and not for sale.' Water UK, the trade body for the water companies, welcomed the commission's findings, calling reform 'long overdue'. A spokesperson said: 'Everyone agrees the system has not been working. 'These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.' Richard Benwell, a member of the Independent Water Commission's expert advisory group and chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a 'culture of rule-breaking and non-compliance' was harming rivers and wetlands, and called for a more powerful and independent environmental regulator. He welcomed the proposal for new regional water authorities but warned reforms would fall short without proper funding and a clear steer from Government. 'Reforming regulators without fixing resourcing and remit would be painting over cracks,' he said. Ali Morse, water policy manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the report offered 'strong recommendations' for more integrated, regionally driven planning, but warned time was running out to act. 'The commission has set the framework – now the Government must act with purpose,' she said. Gary Carter, national officer at the GMB union, said the report confirmed what the union had argued for years – that water privatisation had been a 'disastrous failure'. He accused company bosses of profiting while the water infrastructure 'crumbles through lack of investment' and sewage pollutes rivers. 'It's a disgrace – and one Ofwat has overseen,' he said. 'Now is the time to fundamentally reform the water sector and renationalise this vital resource.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Campaigners and industry respond to ‘once-in-a-generation' water reform report
Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said public trust in water companies had been 'drained' by poor environmental performance and wider service failures. The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry. Mr Keil said: 'The commission has set out significant changes to the regulatory system. 'But water companies have always had the freedom to do what's right by their customers – and many have made bad choices.' Mr Keil said affordability must be a key focus of reform, with households already struggling following this year's sharp rise in water bills. 'More people are turning to CCW to complain about not being able to afford their bill,' he said. 'Over two in five households have told us they've cut spending on essentials like food to make ends meet. 'The case for a single social tariff for water has never been more urgent.' He welcomed recommendations to make the existing voluntary ombudsman scheme mandatory, saying: 'We're delighted the commission has recommended building on our work at a time when we're seeing more people turn to us for help.' But River Action chief executive James Wallace accused the commission of falling short, saying it had 'blinked' when faced with a chance to break with the past. 'This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset a broken and corrupted system,' he said. 'Instead, we've been handed vague policy nudges that leave the current failed privatised water company model intact.' Mr Wallace said nothing less than 'a credible plan to rescue Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' was needed, including a clear path to bring 'failing companies like Thames Water into public control'. He called on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration as a 'powerful statement of intent', warning: 'Our water is our life-blood and not for sale.' Water UK, the trade body for the water companies, welcomed the commission's findings, calling reform 'long overdue'. A spokesperson said: 'Everyone agrees the system has not been working. 'These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.' Richard Benwell, a member of the Independent Water Commission's expert advisory group and chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a 'culture of rule-breaking and non-compliance' was harming rivers and wetlands, and called for a more powerful and independent environmental regulator. He welcomed the proposal for new regional water authorities but warned reforms would fall short without proper funding and a clear steer from Government. 'Reforming regulators without fixing resourcing and remit would be painting over cracks,' he said. Ali Morse, water policy manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the report offered 'strong recommendations' for more integrated, regionally driven planning, but warned time was running out to act. 'The commission has set the framework – now the Government must act with purpose,' she said. Gary Carter, national officer at the GMB union, said the report confirmed what the union had argued for years – that water privatisation had been a 'disastrous failure'. He accused company bosses of profiting while the water infrastructure 'crumbles through lack of investment' and sewage pollutes rivers. 'It's a disgrace – and one Ofwat has overseen,' he said. 'Now is the time to fundamentally reform the water sector and renationalise this vital resource.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Campaigners and industry respond to ‘once-in-a-generation' water reform report
Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said public trust in water companies had been 'drained' by poor environmental performance and wider service failures. The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry. Mr Keil said: 'The commission has set out significant changes to the regulatory system. 'But water companies have always had the freedom to do what's right by their customers – and many have made bad choices.' Mr Keil said affordability must be a key focus of reform, with households already struggling following this year's sharp rise in water bills. 'More people are turning to CCW to complain about not being able to afford their bill,' he said. 'Over two in five households have told us they've cut spending on essentials like food to make ends meet. 'The case for a single social tariff for water has never been more urgent.' He welcomed recommendations to make the existing voluntary ombudsman scheme mandatory, saying: 'We're delighted the commission has recommended building on our work at a time when we're seeing more people turn to us for help.' But River Action chief executive James Wallace accused the commission of falling short, saying it had 'blinked' when faced with a chance to break with the past. 'This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset a broken and corrupted system,' he said. 'Instead, we've been handed vague policy nudges that leave the current failed privatised water company model intact.' Mr Wallace said nothing less than 'a credible plan to rescue Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' was needed, including a clear path to bring 'failing companies like Thames Water into public control'. He called on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration as a 'powerful statement of intent', warning: 'Our water is our life-blood and not for sale.' Water UK, the trade body for the water companies, welcomed the commission's findings, calling reform 'long overdue'. A spokesperson said: 'Everyone agrees the system has not been working. 'These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.' Richard Benwell, a member of the Independent Water Commission's expert advisory group and chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a 'culture of rule-breaking and non-compliance' was harming rivers and wetlands, and called for a more powerful and independent environmental regulator. He welcomed the proposal for new regional water authorities but warned reforms would fall short without proper funding and a clear steer from Government. 'Reforming regulators without fixing resourcing and remit would be painting over cracks,' he said. Ali Morse, water policy manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the report offered 'strong recommendations' for more integrated, regionally driven planning, but warned time was running out to act. 'The commission has set the framework – now the Government must act with purpose,' she said. Gary Carter, national officer at the GMB union, said the report confirmed what the union had argued for years – that water privatisation had been a 'disastrous failure'. He accused company bosses of profiting while the water infrastructure 'crumbles through lack of investment' and sewage pollutes rivers. 'It's a disgrace – and one Ofwat has overseen,' he said. 'Now is the time to fundamentally reform the water sector and renationalise this vital resource.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Campaigners and industry respond to ‘once-in-a-generation' water reform report
Mike Keil, chief executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said public trust in water companies had been 'drained' by poor environmental performance and wider service failures. The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry. Mr Keil said: 'The commission has set out significant changes to the regulatory system. 'But water companies have always had the freedom to do what's right by their customers – and many have made bad choices.' Mr Keil said affordability must be a key focus of reform, with households already struggling following this year's sharp rise in water bills. 'More people are turning to CCW to complain about not being able to afford their bill,' he said. 'Over two in five households have told us they've cut spending on essentials like food to make ends meet. 'The case for a single social tariff for water has never been more urgent.' He welcomed recommendations to make the existing voluntary ombudsman scheme mandatory, saying: 'We're delighted the commission has recommended building on our work at a time when we're seeing more people turn to us for help.' But River Action chief executive James Wallace accused the commission of falling short, saying it had 'blinked' when faced with a chance to break with the past. Low water levels at Yorkshire Water's Agden Reservoir, near Sheffield (Dave Higgens/PA) 'This was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset a broken and corrupted system,' he said. 'Instead, we've been handed vague policy nudges that leave the current failed privatised water company model intact.' Mr Wallace said nothing less than 'a credible plan to rescue Britain's rivers, lakes and seas' was needed, including a clear path to bring 'failing companies like Thames Water into public control'. He called on the Government to put Thames Water into special administration as a 'powerful statement of intent', warning: 'Our water is our life-blood and not for sale.' Water UK, the trade body for the water companies, welcomed the commission's findings, calling reform 'long overdue'. A spokesperson said: 'Everyone agrees the system has not been working. 'These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.' Golfers play on watered greens in Warwick as the West Midlands officially entered a drought (Jacob King/PA) Richard Benwell, a member of the Independent Water Commission's expert advisory group and chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said a 'culture of rule-breaking and non-compliance' was harming rivers and wetlands, and called for a more powerful and independent environmental regulator. He welcomed the proposal for new regional water authorities but warned reforms would fall short without proper funding and a clear steer from Government. 'Reforming regulators without fixing resourcing and remit would be painting over cracks,' he said. Ali Morse, water policy manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the report offered 'strong recommendations' for more integrated, regionally driven planning, but warned time was running out to act. 'The commission has set the framework – now the Government must act with purpose,' she said. Gary Carter, national officer at the GMB union, said the report confirmed what the union had argued for years – that water privatisation had been a 'disastrous failure'. He accused company bosses of profiting while the water infrastructure 'crumbles through lack of investment' and sewage pollutes rivers. 'It's a disgrace – and one Ofwat has overseen,' he said. 'Now is the time to fundamentally reform the water sector and renationalise this vital resource.'
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Government to launch new water ombudsman to boost consumer protection
The Environment Secretary will commit to setting up a new water ombudsman with legal powers to resolve disputes, rather than the current voluntary system that is thought to lack teeth. The changes, which will expand the role of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), will bring the sector into line with other utilities by creating a legally binding consumer watchdog. It will also provide a single point of contact for consumers with complaints, instead of leaving them uncertain about where to go. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the new watchdog would help 're-establish partnership' between water companies and consumers. In May, a survey by the CCW found trust in water companies had reached a new low, with less than two-thirds of people saying they provided value for money. Only 53% said they thought what water companies charged was fair, even before the impact of a 26% increase in bills that came into effect in April. CCW chief executive Mike Keil said he welcomed the move to create a mandatory ombudsman, saying it had been a 'key ask' of his organisation 'so people can have absolute confidence that when they complain, they have robust protection'. The new ombudsman is part of Mr Reed's wider plans for a 'root and branch reform' of the water industry, set to be unveiled alongside a major review of the sector on Monday. Following publication of the review, he is expected to say: 'The water industry is broken. Our rivers, lakes and seas are polluted with record levels of sewage. 'Water pipes have been left to crumble into disrepair. Soaring water bills are straining family finances. 'Today's final report from Sir Jon Cunliffe's Independent Water Commission offers solutions to fix our broken regulatory system so the failures of the past can never happen again.' The key recommendation is expected to involve scrapping Ofwat and creating a new regulator, which could incorporate the work of the CCW. Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins said stronger consumer protections were 'welcome in principle' but only 'part of the serious long-term reforms the water sector needs'. She said: 'We all want the water system to improve, and honesty about the scale of the challenge is essential. Steve Reed must explain that bill payers are paying for the £104 billion investment plan. Ministers must also explain how replacing one quango with another is going to clean up our rivers and lakes. 'Public confidence in the water system will only be rebuilt through transparency, resilience, and delivery.' Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron called for Ofwat to be scrapped, saying the sector needed 'fundamental change, not another layer of bureaucracy'. He added: 'If Ofwat remains in either name or nature, then the Government will have let the public down. 'Simply scrapping Ofwat but retaining a balkanised and weak regulatory framework will only be window dressing, so we are interested in the Government's proposals but the jury is still out as to whether they'll make much difference.'
