Latest news with #EmmaHardy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Govt: Water system is broken
The system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and replaced with one body for England and one body for Wales, a landmark review of the sector has advised. The much-anticipated report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, outlines 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments. Water minister Emma Hardy says she cannot guarantee the government will implement all 88 recommendations. Solve the daily Crossword
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Water regulation should be overhauled, review recommends
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. The Government-commissioned team was tasked to carry out the largest review of the sector since privatisation in the face of widespread public anger over pollution, bills and bosses' bonuses, although ministers ruled out nationalising water companies. Water minister Emma Hardy told broadcasters on Monday that the system is 'broken', but did not commit to how many of the 88 suggestions would be accepted by Whitehall. The report, published on Monday morning, recommended far-reaching changes to the way the water system is regulated as it called the current landscape 'fragmented and overlapping'. For England, proposals include abolishing Ofwat, which oversees how much water companies in England and Wales can charge for services, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which ensures that public water supplies are safe. The report also advises removing the regulatory roles of the Environment Agency and Natural England, which monitor the sector's impact on nature, such as companies illegally dumping sewage into waterways. Instead, a 'joined-up' and 'powerful' single integrated water regulator should be established, according to the recommendations. In Wales, Ofwat's economic responsibilities would be integrated into Natural Resources Wales, the review said. We'll have a proper look at it all the way through the summer and the intention is that we're going to introduce a White Paper to spell out exactly what we're going to do on water reform Emma Hardy, water minister Ms Hardy told BBC Breakfast that ministers would be taking 'a proper look' at the paper 'all the way through the summer'. Asked if all the recommendations would be made law, she told the programme: 'What we'll do is we'll have a proper look at it all the way through the summer and the intention is that we're going to introduce a White Paper to spell out exactly what we're going to do on water reform.' Ms Hardy said that the Government would 'introduce a water Bill next year, which will change the law', but added: 'Exactly how many out of the 88 we're going to do or not going to do, then we'll work that out in the next few months.' The current system has faced intense criticism for overseeing water companies during the years they paid out shareholders and accrued large debts while ageing infrastructure crumbled and sewage spills skyrocketed. Author Sir Jon said the review has 'tried to attack the problem from all sides' but warned that bills are going to rise by 30% over the next five years. 'There are some inescapable facts here,' he said. 'The cost of producing water and dealing with our wastewater is going up.' Sir Jon later told Times Radio that regulators have failed to work together to make the sector deliver and blamed the Government for not giving clear direction. Sir Jon Cunliffe is a former Bank of England deputy governor (Anna Gordon/PA) 'It's the failure of Government to balance out all the different pressures on water,' he said, adding that firms 'need to perform better' and 'be funded to invest'. The Government backed the commission's findings, with Ms Hardy saying consumers have been 'failed time and time again'. Speaking on Times Radio, she said 'root-and-branch reform' is needed to fix the crisis and told listeners the Government is considering a piece of primary legislation to deliver many of the proposed changes. Ms Hardy also described trust in the water industry as at 'the lowest ever level' and criticised executives for handing out pay rises and bonuses. 'Everyone knows the system is broken,' she said. 'And they give themselves huge pay rises.' However, the minister also ruled out supporting Government intervention to cap pay in the private sector. But I will say - read the room. Look how angry and furious people are Emma Hardy, water minister Ms Hardy said: 'I don't think as Government we should say what private companies should pay. 'But I will say – read the room. Look how angry and furious people are.' Other key recommendations in the review include: – Expanding the role of the voluntary Consumer Council for Water into an ombudsman to give stronger protection to customers and a clearer route to resolving complaints. – Significant improvements to environmental regulation, including the process where companies collect and analyse wastewater discharges they make into waterways, by introducing more digitalisation, automation, third-party assurance and inspections. – Tightening oversight of water company ownership and governance through measures such as new regulatory powers to block changes to water company ownership and 'minimum capital' requirements so that companies are less reliant on debt. – Introducing legislative reforms to better manage public health risks in water, recognising the many people who swim, surf and enjoy other water-based activities. – Fundamentally resetting economic regulation, including a new 'supervisory' approach that supports tailored decisions and earlier interventions in water company oversight.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Hull teenagers offer view on lowering of voting age
Young people in Hull have reacted to the government's decision to lower the age of voting to the voting age from 18 to 16 means there could be over 1.5 million more potential voters at the next general Hand, 18, said she had mixed feelings about the move, adding that while she felt voting age should be in line with the age for consent, some might be "too immature". Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, said the decision "draws us into line" with Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds have been able to vote for a number of years. Hardy said: "To me, it makes sense. They've been able to vote from 16 in Scotland for years. They've been able to vote from 16 in Wales for years, and this draws us into line. It was something that was in our manifesto. "It's something that I spoke to people about ahead of the election, and I'm really pleased to see that we're fulfilling the promises that we made."Hardy has also spearheaded the future parliament programme, run by Hull College and the University of Hull. The scheme was launched in 2024 to help increase political awareness and engagement among young people in the city. Hull has historically had some of the lowest turnouts in the UK at general and local elections. Bethany Hand, 18, was among those who attended an event at University of Hull on Friday. She said she had mixed feelings about lowering the age of voting to 16. "If the age of consent is 16, and they can have that opinion, that choice, then they should also have the choice to vote for their future".However, she was also concerned that some 16-year-olds would be too immature. "Some of them might vote [for] the wrong person for a laugh, or parents [or] friends could pressure them into voting for someone," she said. Oscar Coupe, a university student, said he thought lowering the age limit was the correct said: "It's easy to say that 16 and 17 year olds are impressionable… but I think there's plenty of adults also very impressionable."There is not political support across the parties on lowering the voting age. Reform are against the measure and the Conservative party question why 16-year-olds will be able to vote but not "marry, go to war, or even stand in elections".Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, said her party had campaigned for a lowering of the voting age for "well over 30 years" and so welcomed the Richard Tice, MP for Boston and Skegness, said: "We think it's completely wrong that youngsters who are still legally children should be able to vote. "It's interesting that they themselves are split down the middle as to whether or not they should be given the right to vote."The next election is due to be held by August 2029 at the latest, as the maximum term for parliament is five years from when it first formed. However, the prime minster has the option of calling an early election if he chooses to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge changes to water companies set out this week will 'make bills fair'
Ministers have told firms they must do more if they want to restore public trust - as complaints continue to rise and half of Brits feel they're being ripped off. Water company bosses are bracing themselves ahead of a report that's expected to demand sweeping changes to the industry this week. Ministers have told firms they must do more if they want to restore public trust - as complaints continue to rise and half of Brits feel they're being ripped off. MPs and watchdogs have to wade through a steady stream of locals complaining about floods, burst pipes and loss of service. In one case, a dog was left with poisoning after playing in a polluted river. Others have seen businesses losing thousands of pounds after their water supply was unexpectedly cut off - with no compensation offered. Environment Secretary Steve Reed is set to pledge to cut sewage pollution in half within five years - promising one of the largest infrastructure projects in England's history to clean up our rivers. And it's thought the Government is primed to announce regulator Ofwat is to be scrapped in response to the Independent Water Commission's report, to be published on Monday. Water Minister Emma Hardy told the Sunday Mirror only 'root and branch reform' will restore public faith in water firms. 'In 21st century Britain, clean rivers, lakes and seas should be a basic right and not a luxury, but consumers are being failed by the current system,' she said. 'We have already ended the culture of unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses and secured £104 billion of investment to begin the job of upgrading our crumbling infrastructure. 'But we know that root and branch reform is vital to put the British public at the heart of water company priorities. They must be properly run, with bills that are fair and sustainable for households.' Monday's report, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe examined regulation, water bills and support for customers. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'Families have watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution. 'My pledge to you: the Government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade. 'One of the largest infrastructure projects in England's history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Pickering Park paddling pool unable to open for summer, says Hull council
A paddling pool will not be open for the summer despite Hull City Council previously saying that refurbishment would be completed in time for the Park is due to have £540,000 spent upgrading its water play council said that work would not be finished "due to issues out of the council and appointed contractor's control".A member of a local community group said he was "extremely disappointed" at the news. Colin Jennings, committee member of the Friends of Pickering Park, said: "We were hopeful we would be open by now. They need to get the work done."I'm aware they have plans and they look fantastic. Designs on paper are all well and good, but we need the work doing."The facility has been closed since 2023 over health and safety West and Haltemprice Labour MP Emma Hardy raised the issue in a social media post."The project's been signed off, contractors chosen and yet, nothing is happening," she wrote."This isn't just disappointing, it's unfair." A Hull City Council spokesperson said: "The council is committed to refurbishing the paddling pool at Pickering Park for its residents and visitors as we know how valued and loved it is by the local community."We would like to reassure residents this work is a priority for us, and we are working hard to ensure it is completed as soon as possible."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices.
