Leading water sector organisations British Water and Water UK are to hold a second Rollercoaster Summit in November on smoothing the AMP investment cycles in the water sector.

The Draft Water Bill has been heavily criticised by key players in the water industry who have described it as a “disappointment” and being “a sideshow” to the bigger issues such as flooding, drought and affordability.

News that the energy regulator Ofgem is warning of increased risk of power shortages by 2015 unless energy generation capacity is strengthened has highlighted the need for public debate about what the UK’s top infrastructure investment priorities should be – and where flood defences fit in.

A key Government adviser has said that the Government’s new Water Bill will not address the serious challenges posed by flood risk – and that massive additional investment will be required.

One of the UK’s leading professional engineering organisations is warning that the UK will continue to face the consequences of severe flooding until action is taken – including funding provision.

A new London Assembly report being published today sets out a range of measures to help London manage its limited water supplies more effectively and avoid drought restrictions in the future.