21 Nov 2024

Defra has outlined £50 million investment for internal drainage boards and set out plans to consult on a new strategic vision for floods investment. Recognising the significant impact of flooding on farmers, the government says an additional £50 million will be distributed to internal drainage boards (IDBs), the public bodies responsible for managing water levels […]

21 Nov 2024

The government has published a set of principles seeking to maintain integrity of the voluntary carbon and nature market. The principles “guide responsible participation in voluntary markets for buying and selling carbon and nature credits”. The 6 principles are Use credits in addition to ambitious actions within value chains Use high integrity credits Measure and […]

14 Nov 2024

Defra has launched a consultation on proposed reforms and technical amendments to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013.   Photo credit: Jens Meyers   The proposals include removal of automatic de-designation after 5 years of ‘poor’ water quality changes to the designation criteria of bathing sites removing the fixed dates of the bathing season from regulations […]

14 Nov 2024

The government hopes that tens of thousands of new homes will be delivered across England, thanks to funding and partnership work, to unlock stalled homes across England, and support its ambition to build 1.5 million homes. Round 2 of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund will ensure building the homes we need will not come at the expense […]

30 Oct 2024

Following last week’s announcement of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, Defra has published the Terms of Reference. The government says the “sector should become one of growth and opportunity, which will restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health, deliver a resilient and efficient water supply in the face […]

23 Oct 2024

Defra has announced the launch of an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. The Commission forms the next stage in the Government’s long-term approach to ensuring we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the […]

09 Oct 2024

The government is being urged to reform a “nightmare” system designed to help victims of flooding rebuild their homes and businesses, following an Unearthed investigation.   Credit: Wes Warren   The Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant is supposed to award flood victims up to £5,000 to allow them to rebuild and flood proof their homes […]

02 Oct 2024

The Guardian reports that the new Labour government used “economically illiterate” analysis paid for by water companies in order to argue against the nationalisation of the sector in England. In an official letter recently sent to anti-sewage groups, civil servants cited a paper by the Social Market Foundation as a reason to avoid nationalisation as part of […]