(by Karma Loveday) A public control task force has been set up by the new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet to address “the failure of many privatised utilities to deliver basic services at a fair price”. This is one of three new task forces that will operate across central government departments and local government, including with regional mayors as part of the devolution agenda. The other two focus areas are cost of living – especially challenging everyday rip-offs

(by Verity Mitchell) South East Water has aborted plans to issue a bond of around £200m after insufficient investor interest. The company cited the volatile political and regulatory backdrop as a reason for the sluggish investor response that followed its roadshow to debt investors last week. But the firm’s significant operational challenges may also have contributed to a lack of debt investor interest. South East Water has £150m of revolving credit facilities in place to cov

(by Karma Loveday) Portsmouth Water last week showed environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle work to date on the Havant Thicket reservoir in Hampshire, as the National Drought Group (NDG) met to discuss the ongoing drought situation. No drought status changes were made: 71.3% of England remains in drought, with 30m people affected by usage restrictions. July and August were dry months with 10% and 78% of rainfall respectively. The NDG reported that rivers had responded to the

(by Karma Loveday) Ofwat’s Water Innovation Fund has launched its seventh Breakthrough Challenge, with up to £50m available for collaborative projects tackling the water sector's hardest problems, from forever chemicals and storm overflows to leakage and river health. The funding will be awarded through two streams – the winners of which will be announced in May 2027: The Catalyst stream will award partnerships seeking between £150,000 and £2m. It will close for entries on 5

(by Karma Loveday) The Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS), designed to put the environment at the heart of policymaking, came into effect last week for the Northern Ireland Executive. Government ministers and officials now have a legal duty to consider the potential positive and negative effects on the environment of policy choices. The EPPS covers five environmental principles set out in law, including the polluter pays principle. The Country Land and Business

(by Karma Loveday) Scottish Water has expanded the number of monitored combined sewer overflows from 6% to 30%. According to its 2025 data release, over 1,000 new monitors were in action last year, taking the total to 1,287. Inevitably, this resulted in a higher number of recorded overflow events: with over 4.5 times more data locations available, the results showed four times as many overflow events occurring, but less than double the duration of events. The additional monit

(by Karma Loveday) Water UK has launched a new £25,000 National Watershot Prize, to support academics to crack tough water challenges. Applications are open between now and 2 November, for undergraduate researchers, postgraduate researchers, doctoral candidates and early-career academics who have recently published or are developing outstanding research to help the water sector meet water or wastewater challenges, including relating to climate change and population growth. Th

(by Verity Mitchell) Attendees at the River Summit & Festival in Henley last week made their passions and frustrations on river quality clear during lively debates involving local MPs and representatives of the Environment Agency, Ofwat and Wildlife and Countryside Link. Many were unconvinced by official cost estimates for re-nationalisation, particularly the financial obligations to bondholders. There was widespread disappointment that more radical solutions were not availab

(by Verity Mitchell) Andy Burnham’s first formal comments to Parliament on water revealed his continuing dissatisfaction with the industry. He highlighted his belief that “it’s an industry where the shareholders never lose and the bill payers never win,” stating “[it is] run in the private rather than the public interest”. Burnham also said that the independent review into the water sector by Sir Jon Cunliffe in 2025, which did not recommend nationalisation, was “limited” and

(by Karma Loveday) Bristol Water has become the latest water company to impose a hosepipe ban. Active since 27 August across its supply area, this is the first ban in the area for 50 years. It has been issued to protect water resources in the River Severn, following the issuance of a Drought Order by the Environment Agency. Bristol Water takes over half of its water from river sources, including the River Severn via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. The Planning Inspectora