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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
The Path to Net Zero: A special report to mark Net Zero Week 2025 Partner content
Environment
By Total Politics Impact
The Path to Net Zero: A special report to mark Net Zero Week 2025
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
Opinion
MPs should use the holidays to reconnect with nature
Environment
By Paul de Zylva
MPs should use the holidays to reconnect with nature
On water, Steve Reed is swimming against the tide of public opinion
Environment
By Sophie Conquest
On water, Steve Reed is swimming against the tide of public opinion
Britain can show the world how to clean up shipping – it starts at Dover Partner content
Environment
By Port of Dover
Britain can show the world how to clean up shipping – it starts at Dover
Most read
Reform UK Send Candidates For Psychiatric Testing To 'Avoid Another Rupert Lowe'
Reform UK Send Candidates For Psychiatric Testing To "Avoid Another Rupert Lowe"
Political parties
Reform Says Its New Justice Adviser’s View On Trans Prisoners Is Not Party Policy
Reform Says Its New Justice Adviser’s View On Trans Prisoners Is Not Party Policy
Communities
I Spoke To Britain's First AI MP And It Got A Bit Weird
I Spoke To Britain's First AI MP And It Got A Bit Weird
Technology
Women in Westminster: In Conversation With Baroness Grey-Thompson Partner content
Women in Westminster: In Conversation With Baroness Grey-Thompson
By Total Politics Impact
Parliament
Green Party MP Shares List Of All Her Meetings And Urges Colleagues To Do The Same
Green Party MP Shares List Of All Her Meetings And Urges Colleagues To Do The Same
Parliament
Labour Donor Says He Is Open To Engaging With Reform UK About Gambling Taxes
Labour Donor Says He Is Open To Engaging With Reform UK About Gambling Taxes
Economy
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
New phase of HTA's 2024 peat-free work and support launched Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
New phase of HTA's 2024 peat-free work and support launched
This week has seen a big push of member support and engagement by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), with another successful technical workshop to support growers on the journey to peat-free, hosted at Melcourt and a meeting of the Growing Media Association (GMA).
Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
Government plans for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism welcomed by MPA
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed plans announced today by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to level the carbon cost playing field between UK cement production and imports, by introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by 2027.
HTA trade event marks 10 weeks to critical border shift and urgent call on government action Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA trade event marks 10 weeks to critical border shift and urgent call on government action
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) organised another of its borders and trade workshops earlier today. The session, kindly hosted by Provender Nurseries, aimed to equip members with the necessary knowledge and skills to trade internationally. It's another example of how the horticulture industry is always adapting to maintain robust and secure supply chains.
HTA celebrates 125 years of supporting UK environmental horticulture Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA celebrates 125 years of supporting UK environmental horticulture
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) began its celebration on 20 February 2024, marking 125 years of dedicated support for UK Environmental Horticulture. Fran Barnes, the Chief Executive of the HTA, addressed attendees at the Garden Press Event, highlighting the association's pivotal role in advocating for industry interests, fostering growth, and stressing the significant economic contribution of the sector.
Partner content
Environment
By British Safety Council
British Safety Council publishes introductory guide for employers to manage risks posed by storing and charging lithium-powered e-bikes and scooters in the workplace
Most e-bikes are powered by Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries, larger versions of the kind found in our smartphones, tablets, and some laptops.
Two months to go and too many unknowns – HTA member welcomes local MP and Secretary of State to discuss critical April border changes Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Two months to go and too many unknowns – HTA member welcomes local MP and Secretary of State to discuss critical April border changes
As part of its push to get clarity on the details of the April border changes, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has joined Plants Limited in welcoming the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to their site in Surrey. As their constituency MP, Plants Limited contacted Mr Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with their concerns following HTA Member briefings.
Iceland Boss Accuses Rishi Sunak Of 'Neo-Trumpian' Climate Politics
Environment
Iceland Boss Accuses Rishi Sunak Of "Neo-Trumpian" Climate Politics
A former Tory donor and supermarket boss who recently switched his support to Labour has accused Rishi Sunak of a "neo-Trumpian" approach to climate politics, but defended Keir Starmer's decision to scrap the £28bn figure from the green investment pledge as "entirely sensible".
Labour's green plan makes total sense
Environment
By Richard Walker
Labour's green plan makes total sense
Labour's decision to ditch the £28bn price tag was entirely sensible. As a businessman, I know the move will reassure the markets — unlike the Tories who catastrophically spooked them.
Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture – HTA urges action in Spring Statement Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture – HTA urges action in Spring Statement
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set our clear asks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Spring Statement 2024.
Industry, government and science work together to protect plant health Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Industry, government and science work together to protect plant health
Key industry figures including Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence, Fera Science Ltd CEO Dr Andrew Swift, and Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) CEO Fran Barnes introduced a host of experts from Defra, Fera and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) at an exclusive interactive event for HTA grower members held at the Fera Laboratories in York on 14 February.
Environment Watchdog Has Financial Interest In Companies It Regulates
Environment
Environment Watchdog Has Financial Interest In Companies It Regulates
The chief government regulator tasked with policing the water industry has invested millions of pounds into businesses connected to the sector, financial records have shown.
Government must speed up electric vehicle roll out or risk missing net zero target
Environment
By Baroness Parminter
Government must speed up electric vehicle roll out or risk missing net zero target
Electric Vehicle (EV) policy has been high on the agenda in recent months with the Prime Minister’s announcement back in September delaying the phase out of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035 and the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate coming into force in early 2024.
University to share in £100 million funding to lead major science and technology hub to reduce plastic waste Partner content
Environment
By Revolution Plastics Institute
University to share in £100 million funding to lead major science and technology hub to reduce plastic waste
The University’s Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) will lead the Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub to support the transition towards a circular plastics economy in the UK
Lib Dems Are On Labour's Case To Make Water Companies Not-For-Profit Community Projects
Environment
Lib Dems Are On Labour's Case To Make Water Companies Not-For-Profit Community Projects
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has urged Labour to “borrow” Lib Dem ideas on reforming water utility companies if Keir Starmer's party gets into government, including turning some businesses into not-for-profit, community run schemes.

Labour Is Making Its 'Slowest U-Turn' On £28bn Green Spending
Environment
Labour Is Making Its "Slowest U-Turn" On £28bn Green Spending
Labour insiders say the party has made a rod for its own back over the £28bn green spending pledge as a long internal debate over whether Keir Starmer should jettison the headline figure rumbles on.
Electric vehicle transition has stalled but political will can deliver benefits to UK Partner content
Environment
By Policy@Manchester
Electric vehicle transition has stalled but political will can deliver benefits to UK
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) can deliver substantial environmental and economic benefits to the UK with appropriate support from Westminster and Whitehall, a University of Manchester researcher has argued.
No room for drought: Steps to improve the UK agricultural sector’s resilience to drought and water security Partner content
Environment
By Policy@Manchester
No room for drought: Steps to improve the UK agricultural sector’s resilience to drought and water security
In 2022, the UK experienced its fifth driest summer since 1836. Combined with record-breaking temperatures, this led to severe drought conditions across the country, with key agricultural regions as some of the worst affected areas. The drought resulted in widespread reductions in crop yields and harvested areas, as dwindling water supplies in soils, rivers, and reservoirs left farmers struggling to meet crop water demands.
Accelerating the fight against global plastic pollution: Launch of the Revolution Plastics Institute Partner content
Environment
By Revolution Plastics Institute
Accelerating the fight against global plastic pollution: Launch of the Revolution Plastics Institute
There’s an evolution of a revolution at the University of Portsmouth, with a new development that is poised to reshape how global plastic research takes place
Driving change: navigating the path to net zero through modal shift Partner content
Environment
By WSP
Driving change: navigating the path to net zero through modal shift
Surface transport remains the UK’s highest carbon-emitting sector, accounting for around 23% of total UK emissions.
Climate Protest MP Tells Voters To Use Locals To Shift Net Zero Plans
Environment
Climate Protest MP Tells Voters To Use Locals To Shift Net Zero Plans
Former Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, who resigned over the government's plans to offer new oil and gas drilling licences, believes voters should "go local" to encourage policy to achieve net zero by 2050.
H2 101: Why hydrogen and why now? Partner content
Environment
By High Value Manufacturing Catapult
H2 101: Why hydrogen and why now?
Net Zero is driving global industrial transformation which presents an opportunity for the UK to secure its position as a net zero powerhouse. In hydrogen, there is significant opportunity for the UK to invest strategically to become truly world leading and ensure that UK technology powers the global hydrogen economy.
Decarbonisation, growth, delivery: the next Government’s real to-do list Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
Decarbonisation, growth, delivery: the next Government’s real to-do list
As we enter 2024, the Prime Minister has made clear that this will be a general election year. While the date of the election remains unknown, we can be certain that the next Government – whichever colour it may be – will face a challenging in-tray.
Catapulting growth in 2023 and beyond Partner content
Environment
By Catapult Network
Catapulting growth in 2023 and beyond
In the face of many challenges – changing customer desires, cost pressures, supply chain disruption, expected regulatory changes and fierce competition – UK innovation is on the rise.
Storing Trouble
Environment
By Chris Chafin
Storing Trouble
Britain leads the world on renewable energy but will fall behind if it doesn’t start building storage capacity to match demand with supply. Chris Chafin finds some surprising options
EventsAll
Total Politics at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference
2025
Bayview Suite 2
Total Politics at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference
Total Politics at the Labour Party Conference
2025
Room 4A and 4B
Total Politics at the Labour Party Conference
Total Politics at the Conservative Party Conference
2025
Derby Suite
Total Politics at the Conservative Party Conference
Parliament's People Awards
2026
The Palace of Westminster
Parliament's People Awards