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Can Labour Fix England's Water Shortage Problem?
Can Labour Fix England's Water Shortage Problem?
Environment
England hasn’t built a new reservoir in more than 30 years but 10 are now promised – and even they may not be enough. Noah Vickers reports on the leaky plumbing – real and financial – draining the system
Water Minister Emma Hardy: 'The Regulatory System Is Broken'
Environment
Water Minister Emma Hardy: "The Regulatory System Is Broken"
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Environment
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Labour Figures Grow Nervous About Net Zero After Reform Success
Environment
Labour Figures Grow Nervous About Net Zero After Reform Success
Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
Environment
Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
An official register of fire safety certificates will protect homeowners from bad actors
Environment
By Matt Western MP
An official register of fire safety certificates will protect homeowners from bad actors
Opinion
The Planning Bill gives developers the right to pay cash to trash nature – it must change
Environment
By Chris Hinchliff MP
The Planning Bill gives developers the right to pay cash to trash nature – it must change
Compassionomics: why labour must not devalue the currency of animal protection Partner content
Environment
By Humane World for Animals UK
Compassionomics: why labour must not devalue the currency of animal protection
The next steps: how to build on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
The next steps: how to build on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
Most read
Inside The Shock Zia Yusuf Resignation That Caught Reform UK Off Guard
Inside The Shock Zia Yusuf Resignation That Caught Reform UK Off Guard
Political parties
In Greater Manchester, we have a plan to put prevention at the heart of the health system
In Greater Manchester, we have a plan to put prevention at the heart of the health system
By Andy Burnham
Health
The Frankenstein's Monster Of Whitehall: Will Labour Really Abolish DCMS?
The Frankenstein's Monster Of Whitehall: Will Labour Really Abolish DCMS?
Culture
Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza Bill Highlights Divisions In Labour
Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza Bill Highlights Divisions In Labour
Foreign affairs
Keir Starmer Declares The UK Is Moving To 'War-Fighting Readiness'
Keir Starmer Declares The UK Is Moving To "War-Fighting Readiness"
Defence
The Ayoub Khan Interview: 'A Lot' Of MPs Are In Talks About Joining The Pro-Gaza Independents
The Ayoub Khan Interview: "A Lot" Of MPs Are In Talks About Joining The Pro-Gaza Independents
Political parties
Editor's choiceAll
Water Minister Emma Hardy: 'The Regulatory System Is Broken'
Environment
Water Minister Emma Hardy: "The Regulatory System Is Broken"
With water now a top political issue in Britain, Sienna Rodgers talks to Defra minister Emma Hardy who says regulation of the industry is ‘broken’ – and warns companies, ‘there’s no room to hide’
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Environment
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Over a decade ago, the government decided to place many of England and Wales’ inland waterways in the hands of the Canal & River Trust. As it struggles with increasing financial pressure and a furious row with part of the boating community, has the experiment failed? Alan White investigates. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Sienna Rodgers talks to shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins who aims her fire at ‘City Steve’, ‘showman’ Nigel Farage and the government’s ‘Marxist’ policy on compulsory purchase
Environment news
The Planning Bill gives developers the right to pay cash to trash nature – it must change
Environment
By Chris Hinchliff MP
The Planning Bill gives developers the right to pay cash to trash nature – it must change
If the purpose of politics is to lay the foundations of a good life for all, the environmental measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill reveal a troubling lack of imagination at the heart of government.
Compassionomics: why labour must not devalue the currency of animal protection Partner content
Environment
By Humane World for Animals UK
Compassionomics: why labour must not devalue the currency of animal protection
Voters expect the government’s plan for economic growth to follow a moral compass. This month, Labour has a crucial chance to prove its commitment to animal welfare by backing the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill. Humane World for Animals UK urges the party to take a clear stand against the cruelty of the fur trade.
Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Inheritance Tax changes a ‘lose-lose’ – costing UK 1,300 sector jobs, slashing investment, and draining treasury tax revenues
Proposed reforms impacting the environmental horticulture sector are expected to shrink the UK economy by £143 million.
The next steps: how to build on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
The next steps: how to build on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Government’s flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, with a lot of hopes being pinned on the Bill and its provisions. These hopes are shared by MPA member companies in the domestic supply chain required for their construction. But there are further steps needed to deliver the necessary raw materials and products required to deliver Government’s ambitions.
Can Labour Fix England's Water Shortage Problem?
Environment
Can Labour Fix England's Water Shortage Problem?
England hasn’t built a new reservoir in more than 30 years but 10 are now promised – and even they may not be enough. Noah Vickers reports on the leaky plumbing – real and financial – draining the system
India’s suspension of the Indus treaty with Pakistan shows how quickly water can be weaponised
Environment
By Liam Fox
India’s suspension of the Indus treaty with Pakistan shows how quickly water can be weaponised
South Asian countries are increasingly seeing water as a strategic asset rather than a shared resource
We need a new approach to water bills – a rising block tariff would be transformative
Environment
By Niamh O Regan and Sam Robinson
We need a new approach to water bills – a rising block tariff would be transformative
Our water system is at a tipping point. Water infrastructure is in urgent need of an upgrade to address the dual pressures of record demand and a volatile climate.
Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
EU-UK horticulture associations mark close collaboration at Chelsea
Water Minister Emma Hardy: 'The Regulatory System Is Broken'
Environment
Water Minister Emma Hardy: "The Regulatory System Is Broken"
With water now a top political issue in Britain, Sienna Rodgers talks to Defra minister Emma Hardy who says regulation of the industry is ‘broken’ – and warns companies, ‘there’s no room to hide’
The government must stop dragging its heels on urgent environmental issues
Environment
By Rebecca Pow
The government must stop dragging its heels on urgent environmental issues
From tackling illegal deforestation in UK supply chains, to conserving our wild peat bogs and the biodiversity of our oceans, Labour must act now to protect our natural world
Water bosses need to start thinking of customers, not just themselves
Environment
By Alistair Carmichael MP
Water bosses need to start thinking of customers, not just themselves
“We have created incentives to try to retain our most precious resource, which is our senior management team.”
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Environment
Troubled Waters – The Many Struggles Of The Canal And River Trust
Over a decade ago, the government decided to place many of England and Wales’ inland waterways in the hands of the Canal & River Trust. As it struggles with increasing financial pressure and a furious row with part of the boating community, has the experiment failed? Alan White investigates. Illustrations by Tracy Worrall
‘Horrified that this is still legal!’: public reactions to a cruel and antiquated trade Partner content
Environment
By Humane World for Animals UK
‘Horrified that this is still legal!’: public reactions to a cruel and antiquated trade
At a recent exhibition hundreds of visitors expressed shock and disgust at photographs of animals reduced to grotesque souvenirs, shipped to the UK as hunting trophies. Now politicians are invited to see those images in Parliament on 20th May.
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage
Environment
By Luke Murphy
Net zero is popular and essential. Labour must take the fight to Badenoch and Farage
Evidence shows that rolling back our climate ambitions would do nothing to win back voters from Reform, but instead risk losing crucial votes to the Liberal Democrats and Greens. Labour must not buckle on net zero. 
Labour Figures Grow Nervous About Net Zero After Reform Success
Environment
Labour Figures Grow Nervous About Net Zero After Reform Success
Labour MPs are growing increasingly nervous about the government’s approach to net zero following Reform’s sweeping success in the local and mayoral elections.
Rural notspots – why there's no phone signal in the countryside and how to fix it
Environment
By Simon Rockman
Rural notspots – why there's no phone signal in the countryside and how to fix it
It was billed as the solution to poor or absent mobile coverage, but in five years the £1bn Shared Rural Network has built just one tower in a total not-spot. Simon Rockman argues it should be abandoned: there is a better solution available. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
Defra has lost its way
Environment
By Alistair Carmichael MP
Defra has lost its way
A series of policy missteps has left Defra floundering, Steve Reed needs to get a grip
Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
Environment
Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
A Labour MP has raised concern about the feasibility of a key plank of the government's planning reforms.
We cannot continue to take a flippant approach to how we feed the nation
Environment
By Baroness Batters
We cannot continue to take a flippant approach to how we feed the nation
Former National Farmers’ Union president Baroness Batters, now a crossbench peer, reflects on being ‘seven meals from anarchy’ during Covid and argues that food production must be made a UK priority. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
Labour’s net-zero is built on slave labour and broken promises
Environment
By Harriet Cross MP
Labour’s net-zero is built on slave labour and broken promises
Labour’s net-zero ambitions have attracted a range of descriptions, from ambitious and groundbreaking to unrealistic, naive and idealistic. But after the past few weeks, ‘immoral’ must also be added.
Quarries and Nature 2025: Celebrating the Mineral Industry’s Role in Nature Recovery Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
Quarries and Nature 2025: Celebrating the Mineral Industry’s Role in Nature Recovery
Extracting the raw materials required to create essential homes and infrastructure need not be at the expense of natural habitats. A recent awards event, organised by the Mineral Products Association (MPA), showcased the UK mineral industry’s contribution to creating spaces for nature and improving biodiversity.
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Sienna Rodgers talks to shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins who aims her fire at ‘City Steve’, ‘showman’ Nigel Farage and the government’s ‘Marxist’ policy on compulsory purchase
A framework for future farming Partner content
Environment
By The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
A framework for future farming
In an increasingly uncertain world our farming has the same productivity issues as the whole economy. The CAAV offers a framework for policy to answer this, complemented by farm-specific advice, for a more positive and resilient future
Megafarms have no place in our growth plan
Environment
By Terry Jermy MP
Megafarms have no place in our growth plan
The rejection of a megafarm in my constituency is a watershed moment. We want growth, but industrial farming is not the answer.
EventsAll
Starmer: One Year On
2025
Online
Starmer: One Year On
Net Zero Week in Parliament 2025
2025
Portcullis House
Net Zero Week in Parliament 2025