Latest news with #Hardy
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers approach made, Celtic bid 'rejected', St Mirren land ‘exciting' winger
The latest Scottish transfer news from Rangers, Celtic, St Mirren and beyond on Wednesday morning. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... These are your top Scottish transfer stories, rumours and gossip on Wednesday morning, including the latest news from Rangers, Cetic, St Mirren and beyond. Rangers star closing in on WSL2 move Rangers striker Rio Hardy is closing in on a move to WSL2 side Bristol City, the Scotsman understand. The 29-year-old has been a key figure for the Light Blues since joining from Durham two summers ago, scoring 22 goals for the club last season as they won both the Sky Sports Cup and the Scottish Women's Cup. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Talks are now believed to be at an advanced stage between Hardy and the Robins over a move to Ashton Gate, with the news of Bristol City's interest coming just days after the departure of key midfielder Kirsty Maclean to Liverpool. The Gers have also lost head coach Jo Potter this summer, with the ex-Lionesses midfielder opting to depart Rangers in June in order to take charge of WSL2 side Crystal Palace - and now Hardy looks set to follow. Rangers striker Rio Hardy is set to leave Broadwood this summer. | SNS Group Dunfermline reject new bid Dunfermline Athletic have rejected a new approach for key man Ewan Otoo, with the Pars keen to hang onto the 22-year-old this summer. The midfielder has long-term interest from EFL League One side Crawley Town, which goes all the way back to last summer, with head coach Scott Lindsay keen to bring the former Celtic academy product to the Broadfield Stadium, though the club have so far been rebuffed with their bids for Otoo despite making 'several' bids for the player. According to the Daily Record, the Pars have now rejected another offer for the midfielder, with head coach Neil Lennon desperate to keep him at East End Park. Ewan Otoo is a target for Crawley Town - but Dunfermline are desperate to keep him at the club this summer. | SNS Group St Mirren land 'exciting' winger St Mirren head coach Stephen Robinson has predicted that new signing Malik Dijksteel will became a fan's favourite at the SMiSA Stadium after the Dutch winger agreed a pre-contract move from Cork City yesterday. The 24-year-old has penned a two-and-a-half year deal with the Paisley outfit, and will officially join in January when his contract with the League of Ireland side A product of the Feyenoord youth system, Dijksteel has spent the last two seasons with Cork, where he scored five goals in 41 appearances, but has now committed his future to St Mirren. 'Malik is a player that we have kept tabs on over the last six months," manager Robinson said. 'He's a real bright spark in the final third. He's quick, direct, takes players on and I think the fans will really take to him given how exciting he is." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dutch winger Malik Dijksteel will join St Mirren in January. Rangers 'approach' made Rangers are ready to allow winger Ross McCausland leave the club this month after being 'approached' by Cypriot club Aris Limassol over a potential loan deal for the Northern Ireland international. The 22-year-old, who has two-years left to run on his current deal at Ibrox, doesn't appear to be in head coach Russell Martin's plans for this coming season and was left out of Rangers squad for the Champions League in favour of Kieran Dowell. Aris Limassol, who already have former Gers favourites Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun on their books, are hoping to beat off interest from a number of clubs for the signature of McCausland. According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, the Cypriot giants have already made an approach to the Ibrox hierarchy, though Basel, OH Leuven and FC Cincinnati all hold an interest in McCausland, who certainly appears to be in demand this summer. Elsewhere, former Rangers goalkeeping target Carl Rushworth is expected to join Coventry City on a season-long loan deal this week after the Sky Blues reached an agreement with Brighton. Rangers winger Ross McCausland is in serious demand this summer. | SNS Group Celtic bid rejected Celtic's quest to strengthen their attacking options have been landed a blow after the Hoops saw a bid for Danish Under-21 international Jakob Breum rejected by Go Ahead Eagles. Head coach Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a winger this month, having sold Nicolas Kuhn for £18million to FC Como earlier this month, while Portuguese star Jota could be out until the new year with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to several reports, the Scottish champions are believed to have had an offer of around £1.5million rejected by the Eredivisie club, who are reported to be looking for a figure closer to £5million. With the clubs far apart in their valuation of Breum, the Celts could now up the ante on a transfer for long-term target Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Overhaul of water regulation in Wales needed, landmark review says
The system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and Natural Resources Wales should be given more responsibilities, according to a landmark review of the sector. A wide-ranging review into the water industry has said NRW should absorb some of the responsibilities currently held by the Water Services Regulation Authority, or Ofwat, which regulates the water sector in Wales and England. Ofwat is a non-ministerial government department, which was established in 1989 when the water and sewerage industry in Wales and England was privatised, while NRW is the largest Welsh Government-sponsored body, focused on tackling the climate, nature and pollution emergencies. The final report from the Independent Water Commission, chaired by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, makes 88 recommendations aimed at improving the sector, urging both the Welsh and UK governments to act on growing concern over pollution, water quality and long-term investment. UK Government 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, 21 July, recommended far-reaching changes to the way the water system is regulated as it called the current landscape 'fragmented and overlapping'. For Wales, one of the key proposals includes abolishing Ofwat's role, with the regulator currently overseeing how much companies can charge for water and wastewater services, and transferring those powers to NRW. The review also recommends abolishing the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which monitors the safety of drinking water supplies. The Welsh Government backed the commission's findings, saying in a statement: "We welcome the publication of the report. This is a once in a generation opportunity to reset how Wales manages water. 'Many of the recommendations will need careful consideration and engagement to make sure we take action that is right for the people of Wales and aligns with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.' For England, the report advises removing the regulatory roles of the Environment Agency and Natural England, which monitor the sector's impact on nature, like companies illegally dumping sewage into waterways. Instead, a 'joined-up' and 'powerful' single integrated water regulator in England should be established, according to the recommendations. Ms Hardy told BBC Breakfast that UK 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 UK 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. 'It's the failure of the 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 UK Government also supported the report, 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. 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."
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Water regulation should be overhauled, review recommends
The system for regulating water companies should be overhauled and Ofwat replaced, a landmark review of the sector has advised. 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. 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. '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. 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.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
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. 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. '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. 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.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
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. 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. '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. 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.
