The House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee has strongly criticised the Treasury for its failure to increase green taxes and introduce other measures to help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

Maintaining stable charging and improving customer service will be the main priorities for the Scottish water industry as it looks to 2014 and beyond, Stewart Stevenson said yesterday.

Water UK, the body that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers,has responded to Ofwat's consultation 'Setting water price limits for 2010-2015 - framework and approach' on the 2009 water price review (PR09) by questioning whether it is enough to meet the challenges now facing the industry.

A second volume of guidance on River Basin Management Planning has been  published by Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government for consultation.

In an interview with the BBC the ex-chairman of Scottish Chairman Alan Alexander has urged ministers to consider mutualising the publicly-owned utility.

Defra has launched the Government’s new water strategy to help secure and maintain water supplies, reduce water pollution and tackle surface water flooding.

The Environment Agency has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a boost in funding for its work programme for 2008/09.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will shortly be announcing the single evidence session which forms part of the short inquiry into Defra's consultation on implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England.