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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Thames Water shortlisted for string of awards before being hit with £122.7m fine
The debt-ridden water firm was this week slapped with the huge penalty by watchdog Ofwat after breaking rules on sewage and dividend payouts - after being shortlisted for 12 industry awards Shamed Thames Water was shortlisted for a string of awards before being hit with a record £122.7 million fine. The debt-ridden firm was this week slapped with the watchdog penalty after breaking rules on sewage and dividend payouts. But we can reveal the disgraced company was earlier picked as a finalist no fewer than 14 times at an industry awards ceremony being held next month in Birmingham. It comes as footage shows the beleaguered firm's boss moaning about regulator Ofwat before sitting back relaxing watching cricket at work. The Water Industry Awards features a drinks reception, three-course dinner, as well as post-ceremony celebrations – with carriages at 1am. 'Platinum' tables for ten are priced at nearly £6,000 and include wine as well as a choice of either champagne or beer. There is even port to go with a cheese board and crackers. Single spots for the awards, said to feature 'a high-profile presenter', cost as much as £599 each. The Lib Dems ' Environment spokesperson Tim Farron said: "The last thing Thames Water deserves is a medal and it is completely scandalous that they are being praised after another shockingly bad year for the failing company which has just been fined for sewage pollution and payout breaches. Customers deserve affordable bills, clean waters and well maintained infrastructure. Thanks to Thames Water's incompetence, this is far from what customers get. Instead of prizes, the government should put Thames Water into special administration to manage their mountain of debt, and turn it into a public benefit company, so that customers finally start to see some value for money." CEO of charity River Action, James Wallace, added: 'It's frankly bizarre for Thames Water to be basking in awards season while our rivers are still full of human waste. We're not killjoys and when the pollution stops, we'll be the first to applaud. But celebration must follow accountability, not distraction from a record-breaking environmental failure.' And Green MP Ellie Chowns said of Thames Water: 'If there was an awards category for sheer cheek, they would be runaway winners. As long as private companies profit while polluting our waterways, this will keep happening.' A probe into Thames' sewage treatment works found "a series of failures by the company to build, maintain and operate adequate infrastructure," water regulator Ofwat said. The money must be paid by Thames and its investors, not customers, the watchdog added. The penalty is broken down into £104.5 million for the sewage investigation, plus £18.2 million for breaking rules over dividend payments. Earlier this week, Ofwat's chief executive David Black said: "This is a clear-cut case where Thames Water has let down its customers and failed to protect the environment." In stark contrast, Thames Water is a finalist in a dozen categories at the next month's awards – including three times for alliance or partnership of the year. It is also a finalist in the circular economy, customer initiative, groundbreaker, health and safety initiative, wastewater innovation project and leakage initiative categories. Other categories it is a finalist in include digitalisation project, asset management initiative, net zero carbon initiative, smart water networks, and water efficiency project. The footage of Thames Water boss Chris Weston watching cricket featured in a behind-the-scenes BBC documentary aired earlier this year. The CEO complains about "invasive" regulator Ofwat before viewing a clip of England playing while he sits at an office desk. 'They're getting more and more interested and intrusive around dividends… it's quite surprising,' he says. He adds: 'I think they have all the powers they need. But then I would say that, wouldn't I?' The camera then cuts to show him clicking a mouse to enjoy a cricket clip on the computer screen in front of him. Mr Weston is shown enlarging the footage full-screen so he can watch before relaxing back into his chair. Water firms have faced public outrage over the extent of pollution, rising bills, high dividends, and executive pay and bonuses. Thames hiked consumer water bills for its 16 million customers by an average of 31% in April. A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We are delighted to see our colleagues positively recognised for the work they do 24/7 to keep taps flowing and toilets flushing by being shortlisted for… industry awards, demonstrating our commitment to deliver life's essential service. "It is important that we recognise our people so that we can continue to retain talent in our industry. Over the next five years we will deliver a record amount of investment to address our ageing infrastructure as we remain focused on turning around our performance to deliver for customers, communities and the environment.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
M6 bridge works in Cumbria will put jobs at risk, say critics
The closure of a busy junction on the M6 during essential bridge repair work will cost local people millions and could put jobs at risks, critics of the project have Highways is set to repair eight bridges that carry the M6 and A685 over the Lune Gorge in Cumbria because the structures are coming to the end of their serviceable Iniff, who lives in Tebay, said the closures would lead to drivers ignoring diversion signs and would create "rat runs" through nearby villages.A National Highways spokesperson said the "works are vital to improve safety" and it would "look to reduce disruption as much as possible when the main work starts in two years". Ms Iniff is calling for National Highways to find an alternative plan, which would allow Junction 38 to remain open."Our villages and roads will be full of frustrated motorway traffic and they are just not suitable," she said. "It will be dangerous. The lengthy diversions will mean family life will be disrupted for many, leaving children and elderly residents isolated from schools, hospitals and key services." Critics have claimed those living in the area will suffer £1.5m in costs for additional travel because of the junction also claimed businesses will see profits fall by a total of £8m and the road closures could lead to the loss of between 130 and 150 Highways said junction 38 would remain open in at least one direction during the bridge works and the organisation was in regular contact with local MPs and other partners about its plans. Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said the four-year closure of junction 38 and the temporary closure of the A685 bridge near Tebay would be "devastating for local residents"."Precious little thought has been given to the communities of Tebay, Grayrigg, Kirkby Stephen, and Orton," he said. "The partial closure of junction 38 at the same time as the closure of the bridge on the A685 just outside of Tebay will be devastating for local residents, families, businesses and farms." Lyon Equipment Limited provides safety equipment for the emergency services from its base in director Jonathan Capper said: "The rescue services rely on our next day delivery to provide appropriate national emergency rescue cover. "The partial closure of junction 38 will inevitably mean that we will not be able to provide the level of service required by these emergency services." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- BBC News
Kendal and Sedbergh 'terrifying' M6 junction 'needs speed limit'
"Terrifying" videos showing people driving past a motorway junction's new stop signs have prompted calls to lower the speed limit.A number of serious crashes at junction 37 on the M6, which carries the A684 over the motorway near Kendal, Cumbria, led to safety works which were completed last included stop signs at the exit slip roads and road markings on the Tim Farron and Liberal Democrat councillors Hazel Hodgson and Ian Mitchell now want a 40mph speed limit introduced. Westmorland and Furness Council has been contacted for comment. National Highways said drivers failing to stop at junction 37 was a concern.A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, we aren't able to determine whether they are consciously ignoring the requirement to stop, or if some aren't noticing the very clear signage."It said that if extra measures to improve safety were identified it would "aim to bring works forward to deliver them", but the decision to limit speed was for the Lib Dem-led council to consider. In a letter, the Lib Dem MP and councillors called for the introduction of a 40mph speed limit on the stretch of the A684 at Junction 37, with a speed camera to enforce it."The recent video evidence gathered by National Highways which shows that many drivers are ignoring the new stop signs and are dangerously flying over the junction is as terrifying as it is sadly unsurprising," the letter said a speed limit would mean road users travelling past the junction would be in a better position to react to vehicles pulling out from the junction in front of politicians said they were grateful for the safety work so far but that it was "painfully clear that more needs to be done". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Chaos over dying Bill as more MPs say it's too flawed
Fury erupted last night over the 'rushed' and 'fundamentally flawed' plan to legalise assisted dying as two more MPs turned against it. Politicians on all sides condemned the handling of the Bill as it returned to the Commons for just a few hours – with speeches cut short and nine of those who put forward proposals not even given time to speak. The debate on dozens of suggested changes was then stopped after two votes when Bill supporters called for it to end, rather than being allowed to continue next month. One change was approved, to ensure no one including pharmacists and social workers is forced to help people to end their lives, but an attempt to prevent staff doing so against their employers' wishes was rejected. The architect of the legislation, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, also faced anger for leaving the chamber during the debate, and for suddenly accepting a new safeguard to protect people with anorexia. Naz Shah described the process as 'fundamentally flawed' during the debate and added later: 'This Bill is profoundly important and this chaos does a disservice to Parliament and to our constituents. We shouldn't be playing games with people's lives like this.' Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said afterwards: 'Today's debate showed that there is significant movement against the Bill amongst MPs, and that the movers are keen to close down debate and avoid scrutiny. As expert opinion grows against this dangerous Bill, you can see why.' Labour's Mike Reader said: 'No matter your views on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, people must agree that the time that's been allocated to debate the proposed amendments is not adequate. I'm disappointed that there appears to be a campaign to rush this through, backed by significant and well-funded lobby groups.' Scottish Tory MP John Lamont said: 'It is outrageous that the debate has just been shut down in the House of Commons – we need proper time to consider these plans.' Fellow Conservative Rebecca Smith said: 'I didn't get to speak to my amendment highlighting the concerns of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. 'We could have continued today's debate on June 13 but the pro [assisted dying] side said no.' Meanwhile, Labour's Jonathan Hinder became the latest MP to announce on social media that he would vote against the Bill at the third reading stage next month, having supported it at the first Parliamentary stage last year. He said: 'We were told that the proposed safeguards were the strictest in the world, only for the approval of a High Court judge to be removed shortly after the second reading. To me, this is the most obvious indicator that this Bill has been rushed.' And Labour MP for Crawley Peter Lamb, who previously abstained, said he would now vote against. It means at least nine MPs who either backed the Bill or abstained last time will now vote against or abstain next month. With a majority of 55 at Second Reading, only 28 of those MPs need to change sides for it to be defeated. In the vote yesterday on an amendment by an opponent of the Bill, there was a majority of 36. Speaking outside Parliament yesterday, Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter Rebecca Wilcox said: 'We should be able to have a pain-free, caring, compassionate death. I only wish I could get that for my mother... the peace of mind that would come with that would be huge.' Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, supports assisted dying and has backed the Bill.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Voices: Has the assisted dying bill lost its safeguards? Join The Independent Debate
With MPs due to cast their final votes this Friday, the assisted dying bill – spearheaded by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater – has been reshaped in ways that continue to sharply divide opinion. The headline change has removed the requirement for a High Court judge to approve every assisted‑dying request. In its place, Ms Leadbeater has proposed a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission, chaired by a senior judge (or former judge) and supported by consultant psychiatrists and social workers. Supporters have argued that what Ms Leaderbeater calls a 'Judge Plus' model will speed up decisions and add specialist expertise, while retaining a judicial anchor. Critics – including Diane Abbott and former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron – have warned that stripping out full High Court oversight makes the safeguards too weak and could endanger vulnerable people. Other amendments will require the doctors assessing assisted dying requests to have detailed training on domestic abuse, including coercive control and financial abuse, and reasonable adjustments and safeguards for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. With just 28 MPs needed to defeat it, many who supported the bill at earlier stages – citing the High Court safeguard – may now withdraw. Several MPs who previously abstained have also decided to vote against it, among them Lee Anderson and his former Reform UK colleague Rupert Lowe, who have publicly stated they will change their vote. Come Friday, Parliament must decide: does Leadbeater's revised framework protect patients sufficiently, or has it sacrificed essential safeguards for the sake of expediency? We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts on the assisted dying bill in the comments and vote in the poll below – we'll feature the most compelling responses and discuss the results in the coming days. All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the debate. You can also sign up by clicking 'log in' on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
