Steve Reed will meet water bosses as Ofwat sets out how far England’s water suppliers can raise consumer bills over the next five years.
New Environment Secretary Steve Reed will set out reforms aimed at stopping the “unacceptable destruction of our waterways” as he meets all the water companies in England and Wales.
Labour is casting its electoral win as a “reset moment” for the water industry according to a source close to Mr Reed, and it has promised to set out further plans to reform the sector in the coming weeks and months. “That change will take time. Over the coming weeks and months, this Government will outline further steps to reform the water sector and restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health.”For Thames Water, which is gripped by a funding crisis, Ofwat’s draft decision on Thursday could be crunch time.
It has also asked Ofwat to lower the amount it fines the water company for incidents such as sewage spills and leakages. If it ultimately fails to attract fresh funding, Thames’ fraying finances will present Sir Keir Starmer’s newly elected Labour Government with a significant industrial crisis. But the regulator has rarely made major deviations between its draft and final rulings in previous years, meaning Thursday’s statement will give all parties an indication of how lenient it is likely to be later on.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘We want to turn Britain into the world’s first clean energy superpower’, says shadow environment secretaryLabour's Steve Reed, who's the shadow environment secretary, joins us in Westminster.
Read more »
New environment secretary Reed summons water bosses for urgent talksSteve Reed will meet chiefs of companies including Thames Water hours after a crucial set of rulings by the industry regulator Ofwat, Sky News can reveal.
Read more »
Environment Secretary sets out plan as he meets water chiefsSteve Reed will meet water bosses as Ofwat sets out how far England’s water suppliers can raise consumer bills over the next five years.
Read more »
Customers to get refunds from water firms that don’t tackle sewage spillsEnvironment Secretary Steve Reed is making his first intervention on Britain's sewage crisis since Labour won power
Read more »
Steve Rotheram meets new Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing StreetLiverpool City Region Mayor and other regional leaders meet with new PM and deputy as Labour plans new devolution agenda
Read more »
Hilary Benn: New Northern Ireland secretary meets political partiesMr Benn travelled to Hillsborough Castle on Saturday where he met the main Stormont parties.
Read more »