The government has published its new Industrial Strategy. One of the ‘sector deals’ announced covers artificial intelligence, which could “could dramatically reduce the amount of water needed for agriculture”. The Strategy also says that “developing a National Policy Statement for water resources to ensure that businesses and households in England can continue to rely on […]
Following a recent consultation, Defra has published its Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat. Full details are available here, but some of the key points are: No substantive changes from the draft statement – the wording of some points / objectives has moved away from “Ofwat should work with” to be more challenging for both the […]
Just as Germany break records for its renewables output and UK breaks its solar output record the UK Government show their true colours on climate change trying to weaken European climate change proposals. Leaked documents show UK Government lobbying to weaken EU climate targets despite Brexit Energydesk, Greenpeace ‘On the very day Theresa May triggered […]
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom has announced plans to ban the sale and manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products containing tiny pieces of plastic, commonly known as ‘microbeads’. Each year billions of tiny beads end up in our seas from a range of products such as face scrubs, toothpastes and shower gels. These beads build […]
One of the first on the bonfire of the Quangos in the last Parliament was the Sustainable Development Commission who had developed a reputation for trying to do things and save money. At least the world gets sustainable development – now we have their quango … the Natural Capital Committee. These Parliamentary committees have a […]
Ofwat: PN 06/15 Ofwat welcomes Government review into retail competition for household water services. Ofwat today welcomed the Government’s decision to look into the benefits of providing competition for retail water services to household customers in England. The Government has asked Ofwat to carry out the review, reporting back next summer. Once complete, it will […]
This feels a bit like another ‘The Big Society’ but this time for the environment. The contrast of this rather airy speech – thin on specifics – with the impact of the failures of air quality (see links below) that the Government are being forced to face up to and the spending review (not mentioned) […]
Elizabeth Truss speech to Wildlife & Countryside Link (Sept 15th) https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elizabeth-truss-speech-to-the-wildlife-and-countryside-link This speech at the meeting which saw the launch of the Blueprint for Water’s vision The speech is a very strange mix of the well-trodden Government path of supporting all things farming and economic with very little mention of nature conservation. It highlighted a […]