Pennon, one of the UK's largest infrastructure groups, and owner of South West Water, has backed yesterday’s budget as a budget for growth, regions and skills.
Speaking following the Budget announcement by Chancellor, Philip Hammond, Chris Loughlin, Pennon's Chief Executive, said:
"Today's Budget speaks to many of our core priorities around growth, regions, investment and skills. Growth is at the heart of the Government's industrial strategy and it's therefore welcome that the economy is growing faster than expected this year. It's also right that the Chancellor focused on regions, with a Spring Budget boost for Scotland, Wales, the North and Midlands. The next step should be a focus in the Autumn Budget on supporting the South West.
"Welcome too is the focus on investment and on skills, where the introduction of T-Levels for technical qualifications will help turn the tap on our talent pipeline in core water and waste businesses. Finally, we look forward to a consultation on extending the scope of landfill tax on illegal disposals - another important step in cracking down on waste criminals."
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.