Defra

SVT help water voles return to Shropshire

The health of English rivers has come under fierce public scrutiny in recent months for declining biodiversity but in Shropshire 100 water voles have been reintroduced as part of work by Severn Trent and the EA

No English waterways free from chemical pollution

Fletcher raises ‘serious concerns’ to PAC

Following a scathing government report on the management of water supplies, Ofwat's chief executive has defended its approach to resilience, bills and investment

Pow challenges water companies to better protect environment

Call to extend mandatory SuDS standards to England

Advice on sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) should be ‘prominent, clear and unequivocal’ according to a review of surface water and flooding by Defra, which calls for SuDS requirements in force in Wales to be extended into England

Defra to bolster water protection targets within Environment Bill

The long-awaited Environment Bill will enshrine protection for waterways that may include new PCC targets, changes to abstraction licences, review of agricultural and wastewater pollutants that enter waterways.

Agriculture Bill could be ‘game-changing’ for catchment management

The Agriculture Bill has the potential to transform catchment management by water companies, landowners, farmers and other stakeholders with subsidies available for farmers who employ environmental land management, according to Anglian Water's head of public affairs Daniel Johns.

Water sector urged to increase natural capital in infrastructure plans

The regulators of the water sector and government have urged the industry to go beyond the goals of PR19 and the Public Interest Commitments to play a bigger role in a green recovery. It came as the secretary of state for the environment signalled a fresh approach to green policy – one which came in for criticism from campaigners for a lack of clarity.

Defra promises to double flood protection investment

Committee calls for government intervention to future-proof water supplies

Fletcher: Everyone ‘took their eye off the ball’ on leakage

Ofwat's chief executive has said that progress is now being made on leakage but admitted it has not always been treated as a high enough priority. 

Government agenda to reduce water demand ineffective, report shows

The government has failed to do all it could to make water efficiency a central part of the climate change debate and the country will face water scarcity within the next 30 years if action is not taken now, according to a report on demand and supply management from the National Audit Office, which sets out recommendations to Defra, EA and Ofwat.

Is Sharma the right person for the job?

The appointment of Alok Sharma as energy secretary was an unexpected move in the latest cabinet reshuffle. David Blackman asks industry observers what Sharma can bring to the role as well as assessing the significance of Kwasi Kwarteng staying on as energy minister. He also discusses what impact the departure of Simon Clarke from the Treasury may have on the net zero process.

Environment Bill returned to parliament

EA to amend drought plans to protect chalk streams