Comments:

To be pedantic, Cruikshank was motivated in this instance by an outbreak of Cholera. This caricature, believe it or not, is over twenty years before the Great Stink finally caused Parliament to act, and that only because they couldn’t bear conditions within the Houses of Parliament, the Thames stank beyond belief.

and:

 Privatisation of water was going to lead to wonderful things they said .We may pay more initially ,but these privatised companies would invest heavily in infrastructure ,fix leaks and our bills would fall.

They invested in themselves and pumped crap into our rivers and seas ,whilst laughing all the way to the bank.

Same with the privatised railways ,they would invest and our train fares would eventually fall.

I have a letter somewhere from one of the transport ministers after a few years of privatisation saying how wonderful our railway system would become ,with eventually cheaper travel and a wonderful integrated public transport system.

Yes privatisation ,just like Brexit ,worked out really well.

A major redevelopment of Exeter’s Water Lane is a step closer after the city council decided it could force a small number of people out of their homes to make it happen.

Opens up potential for 1,500 new homes on brownfield land. Would this have happened if East Devon had continued as a member of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP)? – Owl

Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

 Tan Lane, Exeter (Image courtesy: Google Maps)

The council’s ruling executive has agreed to use its compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to secure land on a largely brownfield site, if necessary, to make way for up to 1,500 new homes.

It has also decided to hand over a section of council land at its Exton Road recycling depot to create an extra underpass under the railway line on Tan Lane for electric buses, pedestrians and cyclists.

It forms part of the council’s collaboration with a land promoter – the Water Lane Development Management Company – to redevelop the area on the west bank of the Exeter Ship Canal.

The site is one of the city council’s ‘Liveable Exeter’ areas, which it says is “arguably the most exciting large scale brownfield regeneration opportunity in the city,” adding it has been part of development plans for over a quarter of a century.

Explaining the measures, director of city development Ian Collinson told an executive meeting that legal protections included in the agreements means there is “limited, if any risk to the council, both financially or legally.”

He said it is part of a “strategic approach” to use some of their powers to help move the redevelopment project forward.

Councillors were told the proposed new underpass would be a “really key piece of infrastructure,” with a report adding: “The existing [one] isn’t really fit for purpose and if this route can be made safe for pedestrian and cyclist use, whilst also opening up the potential for electric buses, the opportunity should improve the accessibility and permeability of the area.”

However, council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) asked for assurances that help would be offered, if needed, to tenants at Casting House, one of the buildings in the redevelopment site which could be bought under the CPO.

He said there are four privately-rented apartments in the building, adding: “We don’t want to see any section 21 [notices] going on, whereby people are ousted with no alternatives.”

Mr Collinson replied by saying CPOs are a “last resort” and that the developer will negotiate to ensure residents are given “proper notice and proper consideration.”

He added: “We’ll be looking over the shoulder, if you like, of Water Lane DMC to make sure that everything possible is being done to protect those people and ensuring that they are dealt with in a considered way.”

Cllr Martin Pearce (Labour, Duryard & St James), portfolio holder for homelessness prevention, says help will be made available to the affected residents quickly, “because this is a public document now. They know there’s a potential that their property’s going to be up for sale.”

Shorter medical degrees, apprenticeships, and £2.4bn in funding are among the radical plans being put forward to solve NHS England’s severe staffing crisis

‘They should have done this a decade ago’. Wes Streeting MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary.

Don’t expect overnight results. – Owl

Megan Baynes news.sky.com 

The long-awaited NHS workforce plan is due to be published in full on Friday, outlining how the service will address existing vacancies and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population.

It has been hailed as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to put staffing in the service on a sustainable footing over the next 15 years.

Staffing vacancies currently stand at 112,000, with fears shortfalls could grow to 360,000 by 2037.

The additional funding will help train “record numbers of doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare staff” in England, with plans to employ 300,000 extra staff in the coming years. The funding works out at approximately £21,000 per vacancy.

Other plans include consulting with the General Medical Council and medical schools on the introduction of a four-year medical degree – one year less than the five it currently takes to complete – which, alongside a medical internship, would mean students could start work six months earlier.

Student nurses will also be able to take up jobs as soon as they graduate in May, rather than waiting until September as they do at present.

With demand for healthcare staff rising around the world, the Long Term Workforce Plan will set out a path to double medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with more places in the areas of greatest need.

More places will also be offered through degree apprenticeships so staff can “earn while they learn”, gaining a full degree as they work towards a full qualification. One in six (16%) of all training for clinical staff will be done this way by 2028 – including more than 850 medical students.

Officials say the plans set out, along with new retention measures, could mean the health service has at least an extra 60,000 doctors, 170,000 more nurses, and 71,000 more allied health professionals in place by 2036/37.

Flexible working and pension reforms for staff

The NHS workforce plan comes at a time when large parts of the health service are striking over the staffing crisis, and levels of pay.

The NHS plan aims to reduce reliance on expensive agency spend, which would cut the bill for taxpayers by around £10bn between 2030 and 2037.

The plan will focus on the retention of staff, with better opportunities for career development, improved flexible working options, and government reforms to the pension scheme, which is hoped will keep 130,000 staff working in NHS settings longer.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: “As we look to adapt to new and rising demand for health services globally, this long-term blueprint is the first step in a major and much-needed expansion of our workforce to ensure we have the staff we need to deliver for patients.

“We will take practical and sustained action to retain existing talent, we will recruit and train hundreds of thousands more people and continue to accelerate the adoption of the latest technology to give our amazing workforce the very best tools to provide high-quality care to millions of people across the country each day.”

The NHS will mark its 75th anniversary on 5 July. The prime minister argued the workforce plan was a significant moment in its history.

Rishi Sunak said: “On the 75th anniversary of our health service, this government is making the largest single expansion in NHS education and training in its history. This is a plan for investment and a plan for reform.”

The chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, added: “Our plan will end the reliance on expensive agency staff, while cutting waiting lists in the coming years and building an NHS which can match up to the scale of tomorrow’s challenges.”

‘They should have done this a decade ago’

Wes Streeting MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responded to the publication of the NHS workforce plan.

He said: “The Conservatives have finally admitted they have no ideas of their own, so are adopting Labour’s plan to train the doctors and nurses the NHS needs.

“They should have done this a decade ago – then the NHS would have enough staff today.”

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Mr Streeting added: “Instead, the health service is short of 150,000 staff and this announcement will take years to have an impact.

“Patients are waiting longer than ever before for operations, in A&E, or for an ambulance.

“The Conservatives have no plan to keep the staff working in the NHS, no plan to end the crippling strikes, and no plans to reform the NHS.”

E.coli has been found in the waters around Blackpool at three times the level considered safe for bathing, campaigners say.

The EA has said it will not publish the results of its testing at the site because it considers the leak an “abnormal” event.

That will do a lot for confidence! – Owl

Steve Robson inews.co.uk 

It comes after i revealed on Wednesday that water quality tests results are being kept secret from the public following a massive sewage leak earlier this month.

Bathers have been warned not to swim along 14 miles of the Fylde coastline following the spill, which took place as a result of a cracked pipe at a United Utilities (UU) wastewater plant.

Neither the water company nor the Environment Agency (EA) has given a timeframe for when the water will safe to bathe in again, despite concerns over the effect on health and tourism in the area.

Normally, the public is able to check the water quality of bathing sites via a regularly updated online government website.

But the EA has said it will not publish the results of its testing at the site because it considers the leak an “abnormal” event.

This can include pollution that is “not likely to occur more than once in four years on average”, according to an EA customer services officer.

Frustrated at the lack of information, Gary Lovatt, a local resident and fishing enthusiast, decided to carry out his own water sampling tests using kit provided by the Surfers Against Sewage charity.

Mr Lovatt received training on how to use the kit from Tim Harris, an expert water quality consultant who previously worked for United Utilities and now trains up “citizen scientists” around the country.

The Aquagenx testing kit changes colour to give a straightforward positive or negative result for E.coli, and can then be sent off to a lab to establish the level of bacteria present.

Mr Lovatt’s test from 14 June, two days after the first sewage leak near Blackpool, was positive for E.coli and lab results showed 830 CFUs (colony forming units) per 100ml.

The government considers anything under 1,000 CFUs safe for bathing.

However, Mr Lovatt’s test on 27 June, around a week after United Utilities admitted there was second release of sewage due to its burst pipe, was also positive for E.coli and lab results showed 3,519 CFUs per 100ml.

Mr Harris said the latest result shows E.coli at more than three times the “acceptable” level for bathing and that this would pose “a real risk to human health”.

It comes after i revealed last year how some of the UK’s most popular wild swimming spots are awash with dangerous levels of bacteria.

At Conham River Park near Bristol, volunteers repeatedly tested the water quality of the River Avon from July to October last year, in partnership with Wessex Water.

They found levels of bacteria consistently above the minimum standard and in one sample taken in August 2021, E.coli levels in the river were registered at 20,000 CFUs per 100ml of water.

The EA says it is continuing to take its own samples but won’t be sharing the data publicly while the pollution incident is ongoing.

“It’s great that the Environment Agency are here and carrying out tests, but they’re not letting the public know [about their results],” Mr Lovatt told i.

“It’s like there’s a big gap of information there, they need to let people know what’s going on.

“I just wanted to know myself. Based on my results I definitely won’t be going in the sea.”

Asked about Mr Lovatt’s result, Mr Harris told i: “It’s a single result and you can read into a single result to a certain extent.

“There’s been a clear deterioration since the first test, the result is a lot higher.”

Asked about the risk of the latest E.coli result, Mr Harris added: “A person of good health, with a good immune system, might get an upset stomach for up to 48 hours.

“It would cause sickness and diarrhoea. “The risk is really for older people, those with weaker immune systems or younger children, they could get particularly ill.”

Caroline Thompson is among a group of local residents who regularly swim in the sea along the Fylde Coast and want water companies to stop pumping sewage into the water.

She thinks the EA should be sharing the latest water quality results so that the public has a better understanding of the current situation.

“I don’t think it’s acceptable, as a sea user and member of the general public I think we deserve to know exactly what is going on with the water,” Ms Thompson told i.

Asked about water sampling results on Wednesday, the EA said: “We have ramped up monitoring along the Fylde Coast to support the assessment of this incident’s impact and the samples we are collecting in the affected waters will form part of our robust investigation which is underway.

“In line with the Bathing Water Regulations, routine bathing water sampling used for long-term assessment of quality has been temporarily suspended to avoid giving an unrealistic classification for normal bathing conditions.

“Our Swimfo website continues to keep local residents informed of the latest bathing water advice, including where and when to swim.”

The EA has been contacted for further comment following the latest E.coli results.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said queries regarding water quality results needed to be directed to the EA.

In the latest statement issued last Friday, United Utilities said engineers are working “24 hours a day” to build a new overground pipe to bypass the one that has fractured.

“When the bypass pipe is up to full flow, Fleetwood wastewater treatment works will be able to run at its full capacity,” the firm said.

“Until then there remains a risk that any further rainfall could lead to further operation of storm overflows this weekend.”

A Blackpool spokesperson said: “There is currently a no bathing advisory notice in place across eight beaches on the Fylde Coast following a pollution incident which United Utilities announced on 13 June.

“It is the responsibility of the EA to determine if bathing is advised or not and to carry out official sampling of the bathing waters. The classification of bathing waters is decided over a four-year period taking many samples. It is also the responsibility of the EA to lift the advisory notice when they deem it safe to do so and we strictly follow this procedure.

“Whilst you can’t currently bathe or paddle in the sea, all of Blackpool’s attractions are very much open including its beaches, piers, The Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure Beach and all the other great things that people come to Blackpool to enjoy.

“We very much look forward to being able to welcome people back into our water to enjoy the sea as well as all the other attractions. We are asking people to follow our social media channels for the latest information.”

DIY water testing on the rise

A spokesperson for WaterSafe UK, one of the largest distributors of water quality testing kits in the country, said an increasing number of people are wanting to carry out tests themselves.

“Some people do it for peace of mind, some people do it because they have a particular concern, maybe if they want to go swimming,” they said.

“I think the awareness has increased around how unclean rivers are and that has made people a little bit more cautious.

“During Covid, a lot of people started to go into their rivers, or swimming outdoors or using paddleboards so in that sense awareness has increased in the last few years.”

WaterSafe UK sells a bacteria kit like the one used by Gary Lovatt that gives a simple Yes-No result on whether water contains E.coli.

“If it’s positive, then potentially you could send it to a lab to be tested if you wanted and find out exactly how many bacteria are in there,” the spokesperson added.

“You need to follow the instructions on the kits, but as long as you are doing it carefully they are reliable.

“You don’t need to be an expert.”

In the Devon bird world a major success is being celebrated after the birth of avocet chicks was recorded for the first time ever in the county. East Devon’s Seaton Wetlands breeding programme effort was awarded with the birth of the two chicks yesterday, June 26.

Anita Merritt www.devonlive.com

Two avocets were seen foraging in the brackish lagoon of Black Hole Marsh on the Axe Estuary in spring, before a pair were seen mating on the lagoon in late May, settling down to brood eggs on an island by the beginning of June. East Devon District Council’s Countryside Team has been keeping a very close watch on the nest site and the adult birds, both in person and remotely, while the eggs were incubated.

Staff and volunteers at Seaton Wetlands were sworn to secrecy until the chicks successfully hatched due to there being so many factors that could adversely affect a nesting attempt.

Cllr Paul Arnott, East Devon District Council’s leader, said: “This administration has been steadfast in its support for nature and its protection. We understand the importance of caring for wildlife and their natural homes, so we continue to invest in our treasured nature reserves around East Devon.

“We are absolutely delighted to see our efforts are paying off with the breeding of this iconic wetlands species, and would like to thank all the staff and volunteers across East Devon who have made this possible.”

Avocets are very conspicuous birds, with both males and females vividly marked with pied black and white plumage, long pale blue legs and a thin upturned bill. They chose to nest on an island with little vegetation cover. Both birds maintained a high state of vigilance to see off would-be predators, of which there are many on the Local Nature Reserve.

East Devon District Council’s countryside manager, James Chubb, said: “With the female sitting tight on the eggs, the male would stand like a sentry on the northern tip of the island. Anything smaller than a Canada goose was seen off.

“We’ve a lot of crows here too and they weren’t even tolerated in the air above the nest. While the Countryside Team could keep alert for intentional or reckless human disturbance, it was all down to the birds to protect themselves from natural predators.

“We kept the water levels on the lagoon as high as possible during incubation to provide protection from animals such as foxes or stoats.”

Black Hole Marsh was created in 2008 with support from the Environment Agency as part of East Devon District Council’s ambitious Seaton Wetlands complex of nature reserves and setting out the District Council’s commitment to nature recovery at a very early stage.

Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said: “Strategic plans to attract avocets have long been in place. During that time, winter records of these birds have been regular in most years. Fifteen years on, it is now a magical sight to witness them breeding.

“Because the lagoon was entirely man-made, it was designed to provide excellent bird feeding opportunities whilst giving good views from the hides and vantage points, too. The assortment of islands with differing vegetation all point towards the central island hide accessed via a wooden causeway, surrounding you with birds when you are in this hide.”

Visitors are welcomed to visit Seaton Wetlands to see the avocets’ progress for themselves.

England’s water companies are “environmentally insolvent” because they do not have the financial means to raise the £260bn needed to deal with their sewage spillages, academic research has found.

Rowena Mason www.theguardian.com 

The report, by Prof Richard Murphy of the Corporate Accountability Network and Sheffield University, recommends nationalisation without compensation and raising the necessary funds through government ISAs for the public and higher charges for heavy water users.

His findings come as fears mount over water companies’ high debts, with particular concern about the future of Thames Water. The UK’s largest water company, which serves 15 million customers in London and the south-east, is in emergency talks with the water regulator Ofwat, ministers and government departments amid concerns about its ability to continue operating given a potential £10bn hole in its finances.

Murphy’s report looks at the accounts of nine major water companies, including Thames, and concludes that their estimate that they need £10bn over seven years to end sewage discharges is inadequate. It also says the environment department’s tally of £56bn over 27 years is an underestimate. Instead it finds a House of Lords assessment that the problem requires £260bn of investment more accurate.

The research says the accounts of the nine water and sewage companies show they have been investing less than £4.6bn between them a year on average over the last 20 years. It also found that all of this investment has been paid for with borrowed money and none appears to have been funded by their shareholders, who over that same period took all the profits the companies made out of them by way of dividends, leaving nothing for reinvestment.

Murphy calculates that the net value of the companies is £13bn.His “sustainable cost accounting” analysis suggests that without price increases the water industry will lose almost £16bn a year paying to deal with sewage, largely because of increased interest costs.

“As a result, we think that these companies are environmentally insolvent. That is because we do not think they will be able to raise the finance to ensure that they can meet their contractual commitments to deliver clean water without polluting our rivers and beaches,” the report said.

“To address this issue we suggest that the companies be nationalised without compensationWe suggest that to raise the required capital to fund clean water the government should issue new bonds to be made easily available to the public paying competitive interest rates. These should be tax free like ISAsTo cover some of the costs we suggest progressive water charges.”

Murphy said businesses that can only make money by polluting the planet and the country in which its customers live cannot survive.

“That why England’s water companies should be nationalised now. They are environmentally insolvent. They can only pay their way by filling our rivers with sewage. That has to stop.”

The government has not ruled out temporary nationalisation of Thames Water in the same way that some rail companies were taken into public hands. Labour has also not ruled out nationalising water companies, although Ed Miliband, the shadow energy secretary, said on Thursday that the party was cautious about the idea.

A spokesperson for Water UK, which represents the nine companies, said: “In England private investment has brought more than £190bn into an industry that was previously starved of cash while improving water company efficiency by over 70%. Meanwhile water bills remain lower, in real terms, than they were a decade ago.

“Nationalising private water companies without compensation would have a profound effect on the pensions of almost 6 million people across the country with household losing, on average, around a £1,000 each.

“Water companies across the UK, and around the world, are facing profound challenges including the impacts of climate change and population growth. Regardless of the ownership model these national and global challenges remain the same.”

Former ministers Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg have been accused of waging a co-ordinated campaign to interfere with a Commons investigation into Boris Johnson.

Sinister! – Owl

By Becky Morton and Chris Mason www.bbc.co.uk

The ex-PM quit as an MP after a committee found he misled Parliament over Covid breaches at No 10.

In a new report, the committee accused the allies of Mr Johnson of mounting “vociferous attacks” on its work.

Other Tories criticised include Dame Priti Patel and Lord Zac Goldsmith.

The former home secretary and current Foreign Office minister are among seven MPs and three peers identified as attacking the committee.

The others were Tory MPs Mark Jenkinson, Sir Michael Fabricant, Brendan Clarke-Smith and Dame Andrea Jenkyns and peers Lord Cruddas and Lord Greenhalgh.

The report, by the cross-party Privileges Committee, said “unprecedented and co-ordinated pressure” was placed on committee members, which although it did not affect the outcome of the inquiry, raised significant security concerns.

It said comments on social media and TV amounted to a “co-ordinated campaign to interfere with the work of the committee”.

The committee said it was particularly concerned by attacks mounted by experienced politicians, including Lord Goldsmith, Sir Jacob and Ms Dorries.

It added that two of the individuals mounting “the most vociferous attacks” used their own TV shows as a platform to do so.

Ms Dorries hosts a show on TalkTV, while Sir Jacob has one on GB News.

The report highlighted comments made by Ms Dorries on TalkTV, when she described the committee as a “kangaroo court”, as well as Sir Jacob calling it “a political committee against Boris Johnson” on GB News.

It also referenced tweets by Mr Jenkinson and Mr Clarke-Smith, who said there had been a “witch hunt” against Mr Johnson.

An email campaign instigated by the Conservative Post website, urging Tory MPs on the committee to stand aside and describing the investigation as “deeply flawed, biased and unfair”, was highlighted in the report as an example of “selective pressure” on committee members.

Lord Cruddas and Lord Greenhalgh, who lead the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) which is linked to Conservative Post, were among more than 600 people who contacted committee members using the email template.

Lord Cruddas said it was “factually incorrect” that the emails came from the peers.

The CDO is a vocal supporter of Mr Johnson and grew out of the unsuccessful campaign to give Tory members a vote on reinstating him after he resigned as prime minister.

The report said it would be for the House of Commons to consider what further action, if any, should be taken. It will be debated by MPs on Monday 10 July.

Sir Jacob has previously defended his actions, saying it was “perfectly reasonable” for MPs to challenge the findings of the committee.

Mr Clarke-Smith said he was “shocked and disappointed” to be named in the report, adding that it raised “serious questions about free speech”.

Mr Jenkinson and Sir Michael also defended their previous comments about the investigation.

The committee’s report said free speech was “at the heart of parliamentary democracy” but some politicians had interfered with disciplinary proceedings set up by the Commons in an “unacceptable” way.

It suggested abuse of committee members could deter others from serving on the committee in the future.

The row prompts a big debate at Westminster – the tussle between freedom of expression and the capacity of a committee of MPs to examine the conduct of a colleague without feeling their own integrity is being questioned by doing so.

In short, the committee is pleading for MPs to be responsible in the manner and tone of their criticisms, with some wondering who would want to serve on the committee in the future if they felt they would face such an onslaught again.

Others say privately it is ridiculous to limit the capacity of MPs to criticise fellow MPs, pointing out the committee is not and should not be treated like a court of law.

Labour’s shadow Commons leader Thangam Debbonaire called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “personally condemn” the MPs named in the report and accept the committees conclusions.

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt said the fact a debate had been scheduled on the report showed “how seriously the government takes these matters”.

She added that it was “vital” that MPs were prepared to serve on the Privileges committee.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats said Lord Goldsmith should be sacked as a government minister.

The Lib Dems also pointed out that four of the individuals named in the report – Dame Priti, Sir Jacob, Sir Michael and Dame Andrea – had recently been put forward for honours by Mr Johnson.

It called for an investigation into whether there was any “collusion” between Mr Johnson and the MPs – and to commit to revoking their honours if there was.

Mr Johnson announced he was resigning as an MP days before the committee published its initial findings, branding the investigation a “kangaroo court”.

The year-long inquiry found Mr Johnson made multiple deliberately misleading statements to Parliament about lockdown parties at Downing Street.

It ruled he should have been suspended for 90 days had he remained in the Commons.

The sanction, which was lengthy by recent standards, would likely have triggered a by-election in Mr Johnson’s constituency.

The cross-party privileges committee has seven members, four of which are Tory MPs, two are Labour and one is from the Scottish National Party.

The report is worth a read, here are some example quotes from the Annex. – Owl

But is it “safe in our hands” to quote an old Tory slogan? – Owl

Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water is what makes life possible on our planet, and it is essential for our health and wellbeing, as well as for our economy, including the production of food and clean energy. The Government are taking significant steps to ensure that the water industry is delivering the outcomes that bill payers expect and deserve. Water companies have invested £190 billion since privatisation in 1989. In April, the Government published the plan for water, bringing together more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement capacity for regulators in relation to those who pollute.

Richard Foord Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Defence)

We have seen bonuses and dividends put ahead of investment in infrastructure or maintaining sufficient reserves. Our area of Devon and Somerset is covered by South West Water; the company has paid out £112 million in dividends this year, despite having just £144 million in reserves, which is £2.5 billion less than it had two years ago. This week, a water firm chief executive officer has resigned, but no Conservative Minister has ever taken responsibility. When will a Conservative Minister finally take responsibility and get a grip, or step aside?

• Link to this speechIn context Individually
• Tweet Share
• (Citation: HC Deb, 28 June 2023, c290)

Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

As the hon. Gentleman knows, Ofwat has announced new measures to enable it to take action against water companies that do not link dividend payments to performance. That is just not happening. I think he needs to look again at some of the stats he has just quoted, because I think they might relate to the wider Pennon Group. I have just visited South West Water to have a really forensic look at its systems and how it delivers water. That is what we do with our water companies. It is Ofwat’s job to hold water companies to account, and it has just got measures through the Treasury so that it has another £11.3 million to tackle enforcement.

Failures in privatised: Rail Companies, Electricity Suppliers and now Water Companies. 

Where and when will it end? – Owl

“Whitehall was on Wednesday night drawing up contingency plans to nationalise swathes of Britain’s water industry as the country’s biggest supplier teetered on the brink of collapse.

Officials are laying the groundwork for the emergency nationalisation of Thames Water as investors refused to give the company a £1bn lifeline…..

Fears are growing that the collapse could trigger a domino effect across the industry, which is laden with £60 billion of debt built up during years of lower interest rates.” (Extract from Telegraph)

A new parliamentary constituency featuring parts of the current East Devon and Exeter seats will be called ‘Exmouth and East Exeter’.

The new boundary follows the increasing urbanisation of the eastern side of East Devon.

Might the Tory “build, build, build” policy result in the loss of a previously “safe” seat? – Owl

Ollie Heptinstall, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

The Boundary Commission has published its final recommendations for a shake-up of England’s map for general elections, which aims to give each MP roughly the same number of voters.

 New borders marked by red line (image courtesy: Boundary Commission)

The changes will give Devon a total of 13 MPs – up one on the existing 12 – although one will be split across Devon and Somerset in a new ‘Tiverton and Minehead’ constituency.

There will also be a newly titled ‘Honiton and Sidmouth’ seat, which current East Devon MP Simon Jupp has announced he will contest at the next election, while the commission has now recommended a new neighbouring seat is called ‘Exmouth and East Exeter’.

The current Exeter constituency has an electorate of just over 80,000, higher than between the 69,724 and 77,062 allowed under the new national proposals.

It will remain largely unchanged, but three wards – Pinhoe, St Loye’s and Topsham – will join the new seat with Exmouth, Cranbrook, Budleigh Salterton and surrounding areas.

Previously Priory had been included, but this was met by opposition from Labour and the Tories. City council leader Phil Bialyk was against the idea, while East Devon MP Simon Jupp said: “The Priory ward is categorically part of Exeter city, with residents identifying themselves as living in Exeter.”

On the new seat being called ‘Exmouth and East Exeter’, the Boundary Commission’s report says: “We noted that there is significant support for changing the name of the Exeter East and Exmouth constituency to Exmouth and Exeter East.

“We noted that the population of Exmouth surpasses the combined population of the three Exeter wards. We therefore revise our proposals and change the name of the constituency to Exmouth and Exeter East.”

It “acknowledged the logic” of renaming Exeter as ‘Exeter West’, but concluded “the constituency, apart from minor readjustments, is otherwise unchanged from the existing constituency and we saw no support for this proposal.”

Subject to MPs adopting the recommendations, the new seats will be contested at the next general election.

The Times article quoted in this post includes a table listing the water price increase proposals announced so far. These include SWW.

Owl understands these increases have to be approved by Ofwat

Remember there is also a sewage disposal charge (on the basis of what goes in also goes out, or at least 90% of it. Many a slip ….etc.)! – Owl

We  paid off the debt before privatisation.

We have paid ££££ millions subsequently.

Why have the water companies failed to invest?

We are being ripped off! – Owl

Water companies are drawing up plans to increase household bills by up to 40 per cent to pay for the cost of tackling the sewage crisis and the consequences of climate change.

Oliver Wright, Adam Vaughan www.thetimes.co.uk

In a move that has alarmed ministers, England’s privatised utilities said that they needed the extra money to meet strict pollution targets.

The rises are due to be announced next year and could result in annual bills increasing from an average of about £450 to £680, plus inflation, in parts of the country.

Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, is due to raise the matter at a meeting on Wednesday with the water regulator Ofwat. Water prices rose in April by up to 11 per cent in some areas.

Under a process being run by Ofwat, England’s water companies have been asked to submit investment plans by October to fulfil commitments to tackle pollution from sewage. These include improving storm overflows discharging in or near designated bathing spots and improving 75 per cent of overflows discharging to high-priority nature sites.

Public consultation documents seen by The Times show that, to pay for the work, most companies are asking the regulator to approve real-terms price increases of, on average, 25 per cent between 2025 and 2030.

Among the biggest rises are those being proposed by Southern Water, which in 2021 was fined a record £90 million for dumping raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters. It admitted almost 7,000 illegal discharges from 16 treatment works between 2010 and 2015, including several sites in the Southampton area.

It proposes to increase its charges to customers from £432 to a minimum of £677 by 2030, although it suggests the figure could be as high as £793. This, the company says, would allow it to invest an additional £4 billion.

South East Water, which has just imposed a hosepipe ban on two million homes in Kent and Sussex, is planning to increase its bills by as much as 39 per cent by 2030.

Thames Water is proposing rises of 20 per cent while Wessex Water wants to put up its prices by 30 per cent.

Ofwat will scrutinise the plans before deciding whether to approve them next year. The fear in government is that the final price rise could be announced around the time of the next election.

A government source said that Hunt wanted to use the meeting with Ofwat and other consumer regulators to “understand the issues going on in the industry”.

Hunt is also concerned about price rises in other regulated industries such as telecoms and energy, which ministers fear are fuelling inflation.

Water UK, which represents the sector, recently apologised for sewage spills and said that it would spend £10 billion between now and 2030 to curb discharges into rivers and seas. That proposal alone is expected to add about £12 a year to water bills by 2030, according to government estimates.

The Times Clean It Up campaign has been calling for greater investment to tackle water pollution, acknowledging that water bills may have to rise but that the neediest customers should be protected.

A cross-party group of peers said in March that bills would probably have to increase after being flat or falling in real terms for 15 years. The Lords industry and regulators committee said that Ofwat had failed to make water companies spend enough in the past decade, “choosing to keep bills low at the expense of investment”.

Mike Keil, senior director at the Consumer Council for Water, said that while investment was needed, nearly a quarter of households were struggling to pay their water bills during the cost of living crisis. “Customers support the need for investment in enhancing the environment and the resilience of our water and sewerage services but we know that could lead to some substantial bill rises,” he said.

“Investment on the scale being proposed must come with a strong safety net to protect households that cannot afford their bill.”

Katy Taylor, Southern Water’s chief customer officer, said the company shared “everyone’s concerns about rising payments” during a cost of living crisis. But she added: “Our region poses a unique and specific set of challenges, which require significant investment moving forward. Meanwhile, we continue to support customers who need help to pay their bills, with a minimum 45 per cent discount offered to around 125,000 households.”

A spokesman for Water UK said: “There is an urgent need for investment to transform our rivers and seas, radically reduce leakage and protect future water resources. While it is clear bills will need to rise, the exact level is not yet known.

“Increases would be distributed across several years to make this more manageable for customers, and industry will take action to ensure that those who are less well-off are protected as much as possible.”

Ofwat said that it could not comment before the companies submitted their plans in October.

On Tuesday, Sarah Bentley, its chief executive for the last three years, resigned with immediate effect, saying: “The foundations of the turnaround that we have laid position the company for future success to improve service for customers and environmental performance.”

Now:

The government has begun drawing up contingency plans for the collapse of Thames Water amid growing doubts in Whitehall about the ability of Britain’s biggest water company to service its £14bn debt-pile.

Mark Kleinman news.sky.com

Sky News has learnt that ministers and Ofwat, the industry regulator, have started to hold discussions about the possibility of placing Thames Water into a special administration regime (SAR) that would effectively take the company into temporary public ownership.

Such an insolvency process was used by the government when the energy supplier Bulb collapsed in 2021, sparking concerns that it could cost taxpayers billions of pounds.

Ultimately, the Bulb administration is likely to have cost the public purse a far smaller sum, but water industry ownership restrictions which prevent consolidation mean this figure could be dwarfed if Thames Water was to fail.

The talks within Whitehall, which involve the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Ofwat and the Treasury, remain at a preliminary stage and relate at the moment only to contingency plans which may not need to be activated.

Thames Water serves 15m customers across London and the south-east of England, and has come under intense pressure in recent years because of its poor record on leaks, sewage contamination, executive pay and shareholder dividends.

On Tuesday, Sarah Bentley, its chief executive for the last three years, resigned with immediate effect, saying: “The foundations of the turnaround that we have laid position the company for future success to improve service for customers and environmental performance.”

In March, however, Sky News revealed that Thames Water was facing crunch talks over its finances and had hired Rothschild, the investment bank, and the law firm Slaughter & May, to explore financing options for the company.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday night that Thames Water was still trying to raise £1bn from shareholders and that AlixPartners had been drafted in to advise on the company’s operational turnaround plans.

One industry source said that regulators had also sought advice from restructuring experts in recent weeks, although their identity was unclear.

Taking Thames Water into temporary public ownership would inevitably fuel calls from critics of the privatised water industry to renationalise all of the country’s major water companies.

Thames Water is owned by a consortium of pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, many of which are understood to be sceptical about delivering additional funding.

Its largest shareholder is Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (Omers), a vast Canadian pension fund, which holds a stake of nearly 32%, according to Thames Water’s website.

Others include China Investment Corporation, the country’s sovereign wealth fund; the Universities Superannuation Scheme, the UK’s biggest private pension fund; and Infinity Investments, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Hermes, which manages the BT Group pension scheme, is also a shareholder.

Thames Water employs about 7,000 people, and serves nearly a quarter of Britain’s population.

Ms Bentley’s exit, which came soon after a row about her declaration that she had surrendered a controversial annual bonus, also reflects deeper divisions about how to address the mounting crisis at the company.

Earlier this year, she said she was “heartbroken” about the company’s historical failings, blaming “decades of underinvestment”.

Alastair Cochran and Cathryn Ross have been named joint interim chief executives as a search for Ms Bentley’s replacement is conducted.

Thames Water has been fined numerous times, and is facing a deluge of regulatory probes.

In 2021, it was hit with a £4m penalty for allowing untreated sewage to escape into a river and park, while in August 2021, it was ordered to pay £11m for overcharging thousands of customers.

The range of financing options available to Thames Water’s board – whose chairman, the former SSE chief Ian Marchant, is also due to step down imminently – appears to be limited.

Nearly £1.4bn of the company’s bonds mature by the end of next year, with Ofwat price controls meaning water companies have little scope to generate additional income.

In an investor update published last September, Ms Bentley said that “the difficult external environment has increased the challenge of our turnaround”.

A year ago, the company said it had agreed with shareholders the injection of £500m of new equity funding, with a further £1bn expected to be delivered by the end of next year.

The additional shareholder funding formed part of a £2bn expenditure increase, taking its total spending during the current five-year regulatory period to £11.6bn.

In its September announcement, Thames Water said shareholders had “further evidenced their support for [Thames Water] and its business plan through an Equity Support Letter where the shareholders have committed to hold investment committee meetings (for their respective institutions) as a path to obtaining approval (in the discretion of the investment committee) for funding their pro rata share of conditional commitments in respect of the further £1bn of additional equity which is assumed in TWUL’s business plan”.

“Whilst this is not a legal commitment to fund…the [Thames Water] board believes it is reasonable to incorporate this additional £1bn of equity funding in its assessment.”

The company has not paid a dividend to its owners for the last six years.

Thames Water is not the only major water company to face questions about its financial resilience and operational track record.

Ofwat has also been in talks with others, including Southern Water and Yorkshire Water, in recent years about strengthening balance sheets amid performance issues.

The financial collapse of Britain’s biggest water company, and its implications for the model of water ownership, would inevitably become a major political debating point in the run-up to the next general election.

Some critics of privatisation have demanded that the government consider mutual ownership structures, which would prohibit returns to shareholders and guarantee that profits would be reinvested in improving the sector’s dire performance, while upgrading water infrastructure assets.

In total, tens of billions of pounds have been handed to shareholders in water utilities across Britain since privatisation, stoking public and political anger given the industry’s frequent mishaps.

DEFRA, Ofwat and Thames Water were all contacted for comment on Tuesday evening.

Why did it take so long?

Simon Jupp, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Transport since last November, gets to meet one of the ministerial members of the team! (And tries to impress his new constituency voters in Cullompton.)

“Just a word in your ear minister. (Oh, and can we have a photo op as well?)”.

In his latest weekly column he also claims to have successfully secured funding for a new school to replace Tipton St John Primary, £15.7 million from the Levelling Up Fund to reduce congestion in East Devon by building the Dinan Way extension, a new police station for Exmouth, reopening Honiton’s police station to the public, and multi-million-pound support for Exeter Airport during the pandemic.

Owl thinks Simon exaggerates his contribution to getting long overdue infrastructure funding in place and thought Alison Hernandez was claiming the credit for hiking our Council Tax to reverse austerity cuts in policing.

I met with the Rail Minister to discuss investment in trains in Devon

Simon Jupp www.midweekherald.co.uk

As your MP, I will continue to push for investment in local roads, railways, broadband, jobs and skills training.

Recently, I met with the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, to discuss train services and investment in Devon.

The reopening of the Dartmoor Line is a major success. Passenger services have returned between Exeter and Okehampton for the first time in nearly 50 years thanks to the government’s Restoring Your Railway programme.

A new station at Marsh Barton will open on Tuesday 4th July. It will be served by hourly GWR services between Paignton and Exmouth, with additional trains at peak times.

I know Cullompton needs a railway station and I’ll continue to push for it at every opportunity. After a successful campaign by the former MP, Neil Parish, the government awarded funding for proposals to be drawn up and now Network Rail are leading the project. Beware of others who may try and claim the credit as the project develops thanks to the determination of the former MP and Conservative government.

I also provided feedback to the Rail Minister on services on the West of England and Avocet lines. Each week I use the train between Exeter and London Paddington or Waterloo. I experience first-hand the frustrations of passengers that I often hear about in my postbag concerning reliability and punctuality.

I visited Exton train station on the Avocet Line last year after concerns from the community about the inadequate shelter. I raised the complaints with GWR. Despite assurances scoping work for a new shelter would get a solution, no concrete progress is evident so I have raised this with GWR again.

Since I was elected in 2019, I have successfully secured funding for a new school to replace Tipton St John Primary, £15.7 million from the Levelling Up Fund to reduce congestion in East Devon by building the Dinan Way extension, a new police station for Exmouth, reopening Honiton’s police station to the public, and multi-million-pound support for Exeter Airport during the pandemic.

I have a proven track record and will continue to work hard for everyone I represent.

Are dogs on the beach the new “Canaries in the cage”? – Owl

One holidaymaker is demanding answers after her dog became ill after paddling in the sea around Maer Rocks in Exmouth. 

Spokesperson for the Environment Agency: “We had no pollution incidents recorded for Mear Rocks on June 11, nor for the two days before.”

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

Diane Crestwell, her husband and dog Benji came to Exmouth on holiday on June 11.

They were enjoying the sunshine, and Benji decided to go for a dip in the sea.

He was in the water for about 20 minutes but became ill after getting out.

The dog had serious diarrhoea, and Diane had to stay outside with Benji as she didn’t want to bring Benji into their hotel.

Diane said: “The hotel staff were absolutely lovely, they could not do enough to help us and were sympathetic to Benji.” 

Diane consulted an Exmouth vet but decided to get Benji back home to see their local vet, about 300 miles away in West Yorkshire.  

She said: “We decided to just get Benji home at this point, it wasn’t nice travelling all that way with a dog with diarrhoea, as you can imagine.” 

After a few weeks, Benji has now recovered after being given various creams, steroids and a paste to go into his food.

Diane said: “Since then, I have been trying to get some answers to why Benji was so ill after being in the sea for such a short time.

“I contacted Exmouth Town Council, who told me to call East Devon District Council, who then told me to the Environment Agency, and I’ve still had no answers. 

“I contacted South West Water but haven’t heard back from them. I’m just so angry, his illness must have been from going into the sea at Maer Rocks.

“We took him to the vets before the holiday and he was healthy. It was as soon as he got into the water that he became ill so it must have been something there that disagreed with him. 

“I just want to make dog walkers aware that this happened to us and see if dog walkers or swimmers have had similar experiences. 

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We’re sorry to hear about the dog being ill.

“However, we had no pollution incidents recorded for Mear Rocks on June 11, nor for the two days before.

“Cases of suspected pollution can be reported to us at any time by ringing 0800 80 70 60.”

• demolition of existing garage and construction of new garage and utility room 14 Brookside Sidmouth EX10 9UNRef. No: 23/1274/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension 22 Dince Hill Close Whimple Exeter EX5 2TERef. No: 23/1265/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Use of caravan as residential annexe.Longview Bungalow Sandy Lane Brampford Speke EX5 5HRRef. No: 23/1263/CPL | Validated: Fri 16 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1: Lawson cypress – fell to as near ground level as possible. Sharpsmead Bickwell Valley Sidmouth EX10 8RFRef. No: 23/1253/TCA | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of building 2 Sherwood Farm Feniton EX14 3DDRef. No: 23/1248/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of building 1 Sherwood Farm Feniton EX14 3DDRef. No: 23/1249/FUL | Validated: Fri 16 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single-storey rear extension with raised deck area. Removal of the rear studio and excavation to form a parking area 10 North Street Axminster EX13 5QDRef. No: 23/1251/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolish garages and single storey extension and construct two storey extension on a similar footprint. Remove thatched roof and form new slate covered roof, incorporating PV panels. Build single storey extension and alter driveway to property Long Acre Lyme Road Uplyme DT7 3XARef. No: 23/1254/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed two storey extension and Porch 3 Taleford Villas Taleford EX11 1NBRef. No: 23/1241/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed window/doors, revised terrace and guarding. Flat 2 7 Louisa Terrace Exmouth EX8 2AQRef. No: 23/1246/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Two storey side extension 16 Clyst Valley Road Clyst St Mary EX5 1DDRef. No: 23/1236/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side extensions and double garage with first floor accommodation. Re-position of driveway/parking area including re-build of existing garage to entertainment area. Franton Higher Broad Oak Road West Hill Devon EX11 1XJRef. No: 23/1237/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Raising of flat garage roof for conversion to study 2A Alexandria Road Sidmouth Devon EX10 9HBRef. No: 23/1231/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey extension to the side and front with the addition of a new gable-end roof Highfield Kilmington EX13 7RXRef. No: 23/1233/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Two story side extension with single story extension at the front and rear 10 Pathwhorlands Sidmouth EX10 9HFRef. No: 23/1228/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from B8 Distribution to part retail and part residential in114cluding internal and external alterations, forming a retail outlet with flat above, 2 bedroom residential unit and 3 bed residential unit. Demolition of rear out buildings and boundary wall reduced in height. The Old Sorting Office 52-54 High Street Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 6NBRef. No: 23/1217/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of land from agricultural to a development incorporating eight rapid electric charging stations, hard standing for access (off Country House Lane), parking bays and access road and ancillary equipment Country House Estate Whimple EX5 2NLRef. No: 23/1223/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of lawful development for existing use of site as a caravan site. Hill Pond Caravan Park Clyst St Mary Devon EX5 1DPRef. No: 23/1218/CPE | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of a lift shaft to rear (north) elevation Victoria Hotel The Esplanade Sidmouth EX10 8RYRef. No: 23/1208/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Installation of 12 Ground Mounted solar panels on 2 frames of 6 panels. Palmers Farm Marsh Green EX5 2EYRef. No: 23/1211/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• G1: Group of Oak – trim back branches to create a 1.5 – 2m clearance along roof and around chimney breast of 63 Beer Road. Western crown reduction of 1 – 1.5m and crown lift to 2.5m, above and along driveway of no. 63. Check House 61 Beer Road Seaton Devon EX12 2PRRef. No: 23/1214/TRE | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Remove a contemporary partition within the upstairs master bedroom and provide an en-suite to second bedroom at first floor, and installation of vent slate on north elevation. 2 Nutwell Cottages Exmouth Road Lympstone EX8 5AJRef. No: 23/1194/LBC | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Chimney raising to fire safety standard height. Woodmead Road From Marsh Farm To Lapswater Marsh Devon EX14 9AJRef. No: 23/1197/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of new industrial units (Use Class B2). Land At Weston Park Devonshire Road Heathpark Industrial Estate HonitonRef. No: 23/1199/MFUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Chimney raising to fire safety standard height. Woodmead Road From Marsh Farm To Lapswater Marsh Devon EX14 9AJRef. No: 23/1198/LBC | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of three first floor casement windows on the north-west elevation with 14mm double glazed units to match existing. Cogswells Poltimore Devon EX4 0ARRef. No: 23/1202/LBC | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from holiday let (C1) to Residential (C3). Annexe Adjacent To Sutherlake Broadclyst Exeter EX5 3BLRef. No: 23/1175/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior notification to carry out repair works to the old track Heathayne Wood ColytonRef. No: 23/1167/AGR | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Decided
• Extension to existing dental practice on the east elevation incorporating alteration amendment. Sunny Corner Hind Street Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1BWRef. No: 23/1153/FUL | Validated: Mon 12 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• The erection of 36 dwellings (50% of which will be provided as affordable housing), formation of access, open space and associated infrastructure on land to the South of Windmill Lane, West Hill Land South Of Windmill Lane West HillRef. No: 23/1143/MFUL | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a single storey managers accommodation and single storey side extension to Vineyard premises. Lily Farm Vineyard Dalditch Lane Budleigh Salterton EX9 7AHRef. No: 23/1120/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side extension with balcony on roof. Lower Woodmanton Farm Woodmanton Woodbury Exeter EX5 1HGRef. No: 23/1104/FUL | Validated: Thu 15 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side extension with balcony on roof. Internal alterations to include: Removal of the modern partition and staircase, removal and replacement of modern softwood windows and replace with doorways. Re-cladding of modern gable wall section Lower Woodmanton Farm Woodmanton Woodbury Exeter EX5 1HGRef. No: 23/1105/LBC | Validated: Thu 15 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a rear single storey kitchen extension Honeywood Cooks Lane Axminster EX13 5SQRef. No: 23/1089/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Detached bungalow, 3-bed, detached dwelling with associated parking and amenity space. Mundys Farm West Down Lane Exmouth Devon EX8 2RHRef. No: 23/1090/FUL | Validated: Tue 13 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of roof space to habitable use to include a rear dormer and 3 front roof lights. Swallowfield Cottage High Street Newton Poppleford Devon EX10 0DURef. No: 23/1067/FUL | Validated: Wed 14 Jun 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision

Now we need to add “revolving doors” to the lexicon to account for failures in the water industry to clean up its act. – Owl

Arj Singh inews.co.uk

There is a “revolving door” of executives between regulators supposed to clamp down on sewage spills and water companies, raising questions about a “conflict of interest”, an investigation has revealed.

At least six senior current industry staff members have been identified as moving jobs between regulators including Ofwat and the Environment Agency and water firms such as Southern, Northumbrian and South West Water.

It has triggered warnings that regulators could feel “sympathetic to their mates at their former company” or “water company executives who know how to avoid regulations”, and calls for the anti-corruption watchdog Acoba (Advisory Committee on Business Appointments) to investigate.

The investigation by the Liberal Democrats found that despite the movements between such organisations, numerous freedom of information requests and parliamentary questions submitted by the party indicated the Government holds no data on how many former water company employees work for industry regulators.

Lib Dem environment spokesman Tim Farron said: “This raises questions about conflict of interest. You could have regulators who feel sympathetic to mates at their former company, or water company executives who know how to avoid regulations.

“If this is happening, then the whole thing is a farce.”

Mr Farron, a former leader of the Lib Dems, added: “I fear we may now have a revolving door between water companies, the regulator and even government agencies. We can’t have a cosy job club in this industry given the environmental scandals being committed. There needs to be an independent investigation into this.”

The Liberal Democrats have called for Ofwat to be scrapped and replaced with a new water and sewage regulator in England and Wales amid controversy over levels of sewage spills in waterways across the UK.

Both Ofwat and the Environment Agency have previously been criticised for allegedly failing to punish water companies for sewage discharges in rivers and coastal areas as well as high levels of water leaks from its aging pipe network.

Environment Agency figures for last year show there were a total of 301,091 sewage spills in UK waterways in 2022, an average of 824 a day.

However, in March Ofwat promised to block water companies from paying dividends to shareholders if they fail to protect the environment after securing new powers.

Last month, water companies apologised for repeated sewage spills as industry body Water UK pledged to invest £10bn to cut the number of incidents by up to 140,000 a year by 2030.

i understands that for one of the executives in question, the Environment Agency ensured the worker recused themselves from relevant discussions and decision-making during their notice period before going on to work for a water company.

The Government also stressed it has robust procedures in place to prevent conflicts of interest, including the Treasury’s corporate governance code.

A Government spokesman said: “We continue to work alongside the Environment Agency to toughen up enforcement against underperforming and polluting water companies. This includes securing record fines of over £147m, launching a major criminal investigation into potential non-compliance at wastewater treatment works and driving up monitoring to ensure the public can see what is going on.”

“We have also set the strictest targets ever on water companies to reduce sewage discharges through our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which will drive the largest infrastructure programme in their history – an estimated £56bn in capital investment over the next 25 years, driving more improvements.”

But hang on. 

Pay rises for the top10% UK earners have outstripped those of the rest of the workforce (see below).

The Prime Minister has warned he will not shy away from making decisions “people may not like” to control inflation as he again refused to commit to accepting recommendations for public sector pay rises.

Ministers have suggested they could choose to ignore advice by independent review bodies to hike public sector pay as part of UK Government attempts to calm the rate of rising prices — an option the Prime Minister has refused to take off the table. (various sources)

In Toryland pay restraint only applies to the “little people”. – Owl

Union fury as figures show pay rises among top earners driving inflation

Toby Helm www.theguardian.com 

Pay rises for the top 10% of UK earners, including City bosses, have clearly outstripped those for the rest of the workforce and been prime drivers of recent inflation and soaring interest rates, according to new analysis of official figures.

After a week that saw interest rates rise for the 13th consecutive time, by 0.5 percentage points, to their highest level level since 2008, the Bank of England’s governor, Andrew Bailey, angered union leaders by appearing to blame low and middle earners for wage demands that had fuelled the crisis.

But figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that since January, annual wage increases are only becoming more generous among the top 10% of earners, while the rest of the working population is suffering a decline in wage growth.

Analysis by the TUC of official figures also shows that workers among the top 1% of earners, with an annual income of at least £180,000, were paid 7.9% more than last year, up from 3.7% in January.

By contrast, those who are paid £59,000 a year saw the rate of their wage rises fall from 7.2% to 5.5% a year, while workers receiving £26,300 a year saw an even bigger fall in annual wage rises, from 9.5% in January to 4.7% in April.

Last year, the increasing cost of gas and electricity and the higher price of food were blamed for rising inflation.

But the ONS said May’s 8.7% inflation rate, unchanged from April, was mainly due to a surge in demand for discretionary services, including restaurants, hotels, entertainment and flights abroad.

More than 1.2 million people work in financial services and several million more in business services, many of them with high levels of disposable income to spend on non-essential items.

The TUC’s head of economics, Nicola Smith, said the ONS figures showed the wrong people were being blamed.

“Scapegoating people in work for high inflation is wrong. There is no evidence of high or accelerating wage increases across 90% of the workforce. If anything, the data shows wage rises are slowing and most workers are suffering real-terms wage cuts,” she said.

After the rate increase decision, Bailey said: “The UK cannot continue to have the current level of wage increases.”

On Saturday, as anger over pay unfairness and the rising cost of living grew, union leaders rounded on ministers over suggestions they were now ready to overrule the official pay review bodies (PRBs) if they recommended “unsustainable” increases, after the Bank governor’s comments.

Unison’s assistant general secretary, Jon Richards, said: “In the last pay round, the government spent months hiding behind the NHS pay review body. Ridiculous claims ministers couldn’t intervene with the PRB led to strikes and much needless disruption to patients and services.

“For the prime minister to be pondering blocking the other pay review bodies is utterly farcical.”

Responding to reports that ministers could even block pay rises recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body, Patrick Roach, general secretary of teachers’ union NASUWT, said if that was the case, they would have misled parliament.

“In recent weeks [education secretary] Gillian Keegan has been insistent that the pay review body process will determine teachers’ pay. Our members will be asking whether she has deliberately misled parliament and the country. She must now show some integrity.”

Referring to the threat of more strike action in schools, he added: “We have been calling on the education secretary to return to the negotiating table to find a resolution that will command the support of teachers and headteachers. She must do so immediately.

“If the government chooses to ignore the recommendations of the pay review body, this will have profound consequences for future industrial relations, with industrial action likely in the autumn.”

On Saturday, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves wrote to the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, urging him to work with the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure savers are rewarded fairly as interest rates rise.

“With interest rates going up across the board for mortgage holders, it’s only right that savers should get the bang for their buck they deserve. The government should be working with the regulator and the banks now to make sure competition for savings is working.”

Data from financial information service Moneyfacts shows the spread between mortgage rates and saving rates for two-year products grew from 1.08 percentage points in November 2019 to 1.65 percentage points now – an increase of more than half a point.

Rishi Sunak has staked his credibility on halving inflation by the end of this year, a promise that most economists now believe he may struggle to keep.

“I want people to be reassured that we’ve got to hold our nerve, stick to the plan and we will get through this.” 

No not:

But him:

“I’m here to tell you that I am totally, 100% on it. And it is going to be OK and we are going to get through this and that is the most important thing I wanted to let you know today.”

Er – what is the plan? – Owl

[With apologies to “Dad’s Army”, though Rishi Sunak wrote the script.]