Other stories since the Christmas break

(by Karma Loveday)

70% of female members – tens of thousands – surveyed by the GMB union said their personal protective equipment was ill-fitting. 58% were uncomfortable, 22% embarrassed, 24% felt unsafe and 18% said they couldn’t do their job properly. The union urged employers to adopt the new British Standard on inclusive protective equipment, and ministers to update health and safety laws to ensure all workers are issued with properly fitting PPE. 

Anglian Water’s chief executive Mark Thurston will give evidence to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee inquiry into regulators and growth. The session begins at 10am on Tuesday 13 January. The call for evidence for the inquiry closes on Friday 16 January. 

The Consumer Council for Water is consulting until 13 February on its strategy and forward work programme for 2026/27. Areas covered include its core commitments; trust in the water sector; fair and affordable bills; and resilient water services. The watchdog said the services in scope would cost just 37.8p per bill payer. 

Thames Water has issued a final call for responses to its statutory consultation on the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), which closes on Tuesday 13 January at 11.59pm. Feedback will help to shape the Development Consent Order application Thames will submit to the secretary of state later this year. 

Water Plus has gained the Carbon Footprint Net Zero Standard, which means it has a robust framework for its planned carbon reductions, which is aligned to international best practice and standards, including science-based targets. England’s largest water retailer is targeting net zero by 2040, taking account of water wholesaler targets for net zero by 2030 in England and 2040 in Scotland, as part of the supply chain for all water retailers under Scope 3. Water Plus has assessed its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and elements of Scope 3, including via a supply chain review in September 2025.

Non-frontline Northern Ireland Water workers, who are members of the NIPSA trade union, took one-day strike action on 31 December, over pay and terms and conditions relating to a new salary structure. In a statement ahead of the strike, NI Water’s director of people and learning Rose Kelly said: “NI Water has a pay offer ready and has encouraged NIPSA to submit a pay claim for all non-frontline employees to enable pay negotiations to commence without delay. We are committed to finding a way forward to ensure all our employees receive their pay settlement as quickly as possible.” 

Yorkshire Water has reported recruiting 900 new staff since April 2025, as part of efforts to deliver its £8.3bn AMP8 programme.

Simon Tilling has returned to law firm Burges Salmon as a partner in the Environment team. His experience includes three years at Pennon Group and advising on UK environment law including chemicals and product standards, regulatory investigations, enforcement and criminal defence, regulatory appeals, tribunal hearings, judicial review and environmental civil claims. 

Safety and regulatory compliance specialist Complii has appointed Kate Gard as managing director of its water division. She will be responsible for leading the water compliance division, focusing on strategic growth and operational excellence.