Latest news with #sewagepollution
Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Times letters: Regulation and funding of water companies
Write to letters@ Sir, I am left unsure what will change in the water industry after the publication of the report by Sir Jon Cunliffe and the response by the government (news, Jul 21 & 22). One regulator is to be replaced by another and water bills will rise by an average of 36 per cent over the next five years, which means that the public will in effect pay a second time for any improvements that should have been made by now, had water companies spent more investing in infrastructure instead of lining executive and shareholder pockets. As to the claim by Steve Reed, the environment secretary, that sewage pollution in England will be halved by 2030, please forgive my TiffenAspatria, Cumbria Sir, Your editorial ('Water Torture', Jul 21) rightly castigates the regulatory system as well as the operating companies. You say that regulatory responsibilities are split between three bodies: Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. But even this is an understatement. Natural England also has some responsibilities, although how these fit with those of the EA is anyone's guess. And to complete the chaos there is also the Consumer Council for Water, which supposedly exists to look after consumers' interests. A single regulator with appropriate powers will be welcome, even if its creation is more than 30 years GaneLondon SE21 Sir, Feargal Sharkey says corporate greed is at the heart of the water scandal (Jul 22). I disagree: it is the broken tax system that creates the incentive for financial engineering. As long as there is an imbalance between the tax treatment of debt and equity, financiers will continue to load up low-risk enterprises with debt to generate higher returns to their investors, all at the expense of KokinisSheffield Sir, May I dare to express a little sympathy for the water companies? The unfettered concreting over and tarring of front gardens, and seemingly endless acres of further urbanisation and development, have led to flash flooding and the overwhelming of sewage facilities. Local authorities should have separate drainage for surface RennieKintore, Aberdeenshire Sir, The Thames Tideway project to upgrade waste-water treatment systems in London to enable them to cope with storm-water surges was completed in May. It has effectively eliminated the problem of unwanted releases into the Thames. The question now is: when will this technology be introduced in the rest of the UK?Dale FittesChartered engineer, Warwick Sir, If every new house was required to have a large rainwater tank the amount of drinking water needed could be substantially reduced. Rainwater could then be used to flush toilets, wash cars and water FreelandBristol Sir, In 1955, when I was 12, my mother and I had a holiday at Hove and were surprised, while swimming in the sea, to find ourselves surrounded by lavatory paper. Plus ça WillettLondon SW19 Sir, William Hague ('Welfare reform is a moral and financial must', Jul 22) is right that unless we rethink our welfare system we face economic crisis. The tragedy is that this has been staring us in the face since at least the early 2000s. Successive welfare ministers have recognised that but each has put the issue in the 'too difficult' box, to be left for their successor. If we wait for one finally to have the courage to tackle it we will wait another generation. We need to break the mould: we should establish a cross-party royal commission with a remit to report within one year — the issues and the facts are clear so a year will be ample — to recommend the measures that need to be taken to tackle this crisis. Then we should ask all our political parties to have the courage to implement its Leigh LewisPermanent secretary, Department for Work and Pensions 2005-10; Watford Sir, It is inevitable that Rachel Reeves will struggle to persuade Labour MPs to back legislation that has to be considerably tougher than the recent attempts at welfare reform. The solution is to raise income tax by, say, 2 per cent, with the promise of bringing it down again when welfare reforms have improved the government's ScottEast Knoyle, Wilts Sir, I am horrified to admit that I agree with Reform UK about something: in this case the need for more 'big strapping male police officers' (report, Jul 22). The episode that made me agree is as follows. A few years ago I was returning home in my car, through my local town centre, late on a weekday evening. While at a red light I saw a street brawl erupt around me involving about ten adult males. One man was struck and fell to the floor beside my car; his attacker then began to kick his unconscious body. Before too many head kicks were delivered I got out of the car and pushed the assailant away. When threatened I didn't move, so got punched a fair bit. Other passers-by then intervened to break it all up and we called an ambulance for the chap on the floor. When the dust had fully settled, a slight WPC and a male constable no bigger than me (I am 5ft 7in and 63kg) nervously appeared. I was absolutely disgusted. Two 100kg male PCs might have had a calming effect on the mayhem but these two lightweights certainly wouldn't. It is possible that the officers knew this and had kept out of the way until things had settled CoeWinterton, Lincs Sir, Nigel Farage misses the point when he states he wants to recruit 'beefy bobbies' to strike fear into criminals. The police have no need of beefy bobbies — most officers are more than capable of arresting criminals. What they need is a justice system that allows them to do their duty without fear of being accused of racism, Islamophobia and lack of impartiality, and inquiries into alleged wrongdoing that take years to complete. Further, if the courts imposed appropriate sentences (assuming, of course, that the craven CPS allowed prosecution in the first place), this would act as a deterrent to wrongdoing, which is sadly absent at present and is empowering lawlessness. Only a complete overhaul of the justice system will address this imbalance, not bigger MolloyMetropolitan Police 1976-2006; Chart Sutton, Kent Sir, The chief executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, advocates a 'different approach' to the 'Christmas Day' acute care service provided during previous industrial action by doctors, but offers little detail about how this might be achieved ('Patients at risk during walkouts, warns BMA', Jul 22). How can productivity remain constant when capacity is reduced without increasing pressure in the system past the point of irreversible damage? Without a clear and funded 'surge' plan, Mackey's mandate is no more than SoodSouthend-on-Sea, Essex Sir, The impending loss of the Lord Ashcroft VC and GC collection in the Imperial War Museum is to be regretted (Thunderer, Jul 22). Anyone who has visited the display, the largest of its kind, cannot help but be humbled by the gallantry of those who received these awards. The removal of the collection serves the interests of no one. The museum should be made to justify its irrational Prescott (Lt-Col, ret'd)Southsea, Hants Sir, While awaiting the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry and after enjoying the impressive replica at Reading Museum (letters, Jul 21 & 22), Times readers should venture west to Fishguard and visit the tapestry commemorating the last invasion of Britain in 1797. It is beautifully and colourfully designed, and was stitched by local people. Moreover, it celebrates an invasion that was BattleLondon SW18 Sir, It seems ridiculous that local councils are still unable to levy a tourism tax on hotel stays ('Tourist tax plan rejected by Treasury', Jul 22). I travel frequently to the US and Europe, where these taxes are accepted as a standard element of any hotel bill. They reflect the tourist's/business visitor's use of local infrastructure (roads and public transport etc) that, without such a tax, becomes solely the responsibility of local taxpayers. Enabling councils to collect a tourism tax, without any of the money going to central government, would not only help to relieve pressure on local government finances but would also help to reduce further demand on government Anthony HarrisCambridge Sir, Libby Purves makes powerful points about the damage done to the starter job opportunities for young people ('Bar, café and retail jobs are society's heartbeat', Jul 21). It brought to mind the contrast my wife and I found on a recent visit to Australia. Shops, restaurants and bars were well staffed by bright, smiling young people who oozed enthusiasm for their role and their customers. Many were young Europeans and clearly motivated by their travel experience, and had been brightly trained by their bosses. Our government, through its policies, is denying our own children the chance to experience life beyond the screen. As Purves implies, the government needs to change R SmithSouthport, Merseyside Sir, Although I admire the creativity of the various top-level chefs in their quest for the perfect mashed potato (report, Jul 22), sometimes simplicity is the best approach. My late mother made the most delicious mash, following the teaching of her own mother. She used old, floury potatoes, gently boiled them until tender then mashed them with a traditional hand-masher. She would add a large knob of butter and a good splash of milk, but the true secret was in the beating: my sister and I competed to beat the mash vigorously with a large tablespoon. The result was CarvellWhitby, N Yorks Sir, Your leader writer is clearly a person of absolute taste ('Brewing Storm', Jul 22). Tea leaves are for brewing: tea bags are for puffy CullenArmagh Sir, Having read James Marriott's excellent comment article (Jul 22) discussing the film Barry Lyndon, I am reminded of another film set in the 18th century: the wonderful 1963 film Tom Jones, with Albert Finley in the title role. The two films couldn't be more different in texture and storytelling but both give a vivid view of life in the middle of that century. I would thoroughly recommend watching both and if stamina permits, one after the GodfreyArborfield Cross, Berks
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Ofwat to be scrapped as sewage spills hit record levels
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has confirmed the abolition of water regulator Ofwat as part of a major overhaul of the "broken" water industry. The new system will consolidate water functions from four different regulators into a single, powerful body. Mr Reed criticised water companies for prioritising £85bn in shareholder payouts since privatisation over essential infrastructure investment, leading to record sewage pollution and soaring bills. The changes are based on Sir Jon Cunliffe's report, which also recommended removing regulatory roles from the Environment Agency and Natural England. Sir Jon warned that water bills are projected to rise by almost a third by the end of the decade due to necessary investment in ageing infrastructure.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
‘Never again': Regulatory reform pledged to prevent repeat of water bill hikes
The Environment Secretary has said households will 'never again' face major water bill hikes as he announced an overhaul of regulation of the troubled sector. Steve Reed announced in a speech alongside the River Thames that regulator Ofwat would be scrapped, as part of measures to pull overlapping water regulation by four different bodies into one 'single powerful' regulator responsible for the whole sector. He made the announcement in response to an independent review by Sir Jon Cunliffe which called for the move, as one of 88 measures to tackle problems in the water sector. The review was commissioned by the Government to answer public fury over pollution in rivers, lakes and seas, soaring bills, shareholder payouts and bosses' bonuses. Mr Reed pledged the new regulator would 'stand firmly on the side of customers, investors and the environment', as he said the Government would cut sewage pollution by half by 2030 – based on a new, higher baseline of pollution in 2024 compared with previous targets relating to 2021. And it would oversee maintenance and investment in water infrastructure so that 'hard-working British families are never again hit by the shocking bill hikes we saw last year'. Questioned by journalists after the speech about future bill hikes, Mr Reed insisted it was 'absolutely the intention' that the reforms would ensure there was adequate investment in the long term to prevent the kind of 30% increase seen in customer water bills last year at the next price review in five years. He also accused the Tories of failing to ensure sufficient investment in crumbling pipes and infrastructure that would have prevented the recent hikes. But in a separate speech, review author Sir Jon warned that costs and bills are likely to continue to rise, as he recommended the Government introduce a national social tariff to help households struggling to pay. 'The cost of producing water and wastewater services is likely to increase over the medium and longer term as the industry has to replace ageing assets, respond to higher environmental and public health standards and continue to adapt to the challenges of population growth and climate change,' he said. 'And against that likely background of rising costs and rising bills, there is a need for a stronger safety net for the most vulnerable when exposed to water poverty.' Asked if investor returns will need to rise to attract the capital needed and contribute to bill hikes, Sir Jon said: 'All the investors I talked to said we are happy to accept a lower return … if you can give us lower risk on the downside. 'Bills will have to reflect what investors need, the equity they need. 'That is part of the cost of building the infrastructure that we need but at the same time, a regulator needs to continue to maintain pressure and efficiency.' Sir Jon's review did not explore renationalising water companies; ministers have refused to entertain the possibility despite demands from campaigners to return them to public ownership. Mr Reed warned nationalisation would cost £100 billion and slow down efforts to cut pollution. He said it was not the answer, adding: 'The problems are to do with governance and regulation, and we are fixing those problems so we can fix the problem of sewage pollution and unacceptable bill hikes in the fastest time possible.' The reforms would see a single regulator replace Ofwat and take in functions related to the water sector from the Environment Agency, which currently investigates pollution incidents and licenses water abstraction from the environment, as well as the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Natural England. Sir Jon suggested a new water regulator would take two years to set up after looking at the time frame for setting up Ofcom, the communications regulator, in the early 2000s. The process could involve bringing the different organisations together as one before integrating the staff and working out where there may be duplication or gaps. Sir Jon also said the Government will have to tackle the issue of securing a 'very high level of leadership', adding that the current system does not have the skills and expertise that will be needed in the new set-up. Asked if ministers need to carry forward all of his 88 recommendations to ensure a full reset of the sector, he said: 'I don't think you're going to solve the fundamental problem unless you tackle all of those issues. 'I think you can get improvement on all those dimensions, but I do think you need to address it all in order to move us to a different place.'
France 24
2 days ago
- Business
- France 24
UK overhauls regulation of 'broken' water system
The move comes after years of angry complaints about the privately-run system and its much-maligned regulator Ofwat, including constant leaks and raw sewage being discharged into waterways and oceans. "Our water industry is broken," Environment Secretary Steve Reed said in a statement. The government will abolish Ofwat in response to failures identified by the Independent Water Commission, dubbed the most comprehensive review of the sector since its privatisation in the late 1980s. "A single, powerful regulator responsible for the entire water sector will stand firmly on the side of customers, investors and the environment and prevent the abuses of the past," Reed said. Spiralling bills and high executive pay at the water companies, alongside decades of dividends paid to their shareholders and underinvestment in crumbling infrastructure, have stoked public anger. On Sunday, it emerged the number of serious contamination incidents in England had risen by 60 percent in a year, prompting the government to vow to halve sewage pollution caused by water companies by 2030. "The water industry, the system of regulation that we have and actually our system for managing our rivers and waterways generally ... is failing," Jon Cunliffe, head of the Independent Water Commission, told Times Radio. Published alongside a 67-page summary detailing the 88 recommendations, the commission's report concluded the "complex and unintelligible" framework to upgrade infrastructure is "clearly not working". It urged the UK and Welsh governments to give themselves more powers to "direct" failing water firms, while also demanding an overhaul of their regulation. Britain's publicly-owned water and sewage industry was privatised in 1989 under the Conservative government of then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Then the sector had no debt, but that has now ballooned to tens of billions of pounds, which critics say has been partly used to pay generous dividends. Water campaigner Feargal Sharkey said Monday that successive governments had "lost control of this industry" and he had little faith the suggested reforms would succeed. "The beating heart of this debacle is ... corporate greed, the financial engineering, the exorbitant salaries," he told BBC News. "We were promised a proper root and branch wide-ranging review, including ownership and structure. We were promised champagne. All we've actually got is sour milk." © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Never again': Regulatory reform pledged to prevent repeat of water bill hikes
The Environment Secretary has said households will 'never again' face major water bill hikes as he announced an overhaul of regulation of the troubled sector. Steve Reed announced in a speech alongside the River Thames that regulator Ofwat would be scrapped, as part of measures to pull overlapping water regulation by four different bodies into one 'single powerful' regulator responsible for the whole sector. He made the announcement in response to an independent review by Sir Jon Cunliffe which called for the move, as one of 88 measures to tackle problems in the water sector. The review was commissioned by the Government to answer public fury over pollution in rivers, lakes and seas, soaring bills, shareholder pay outs and bosses' bonuses. Mr Reed pledged the new regulator would 'stand firmly on the side of customers, investors and the environment', as he said the Government would cut sewage pollution by half by 2030 – based on a new, higher baseline of pollution in 2024 compared to previous targets relating to 2021. And it would oversee maintenance and investment in water infrastructure so that 'hard working British families are never again hit by the shocking bill hikes we saw last year'. Quizzed by journalists after the speech about future bill hikes, Mr Reed insisted it was 'absolutely the intention' that the reforms would ensure there was adequate investment in the long term to prevent the kind of 30% increase seen in customer water bills last year, at the next price review in five years. 'The reforms that we're bringing in are intended to prevent the circumstances that led to those bill hikes,' he said. 'We're bringing it in so that there will be adequate investment in the long term in our water pipes and our sewage pipes, so they don't ever again crumble away to the extent that a big bill hike becomes necessary.' He accused the Tories of failing to ensure sufficient investment in crumbling pipes and infrastructure that would have prevented the recent hikes. In his speech, Mr Reed said the water industry is 'broken' and has been allowed to fail under a 'regulatory system that let them get away with it'. 'Our rivers, lakes and seas are polluted with record levels of sewage,' he said. Mr Reed blamed soaring water bills for straining household finances and warned that poor infrastructure is holding back economic growth. But ministers have refused to entertain the possibility of renationalisation, despite demands from campaigners to return water companies to public ownership, with Mr Reed warning it would cost £100 billion and slow down efforts to cut pollution. He said nationalisation was not the answer, adding: 'The problems are to do with governance and regulation, and we are fixing those problems so we can fix the problem of sewage pollution and unacceptable bill hikes in the fastest time possible.' The reforms would see a single regulator replace Ofwat and take in functions related to the water sector from the Environment Agency, which currently investigates pollution incidents and licenses water abstraction from the environment, as well the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Natural England.
