The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has launched a major new consultation on its plans for the fourth round of climate change adaptation reporting – including filling gaps in the existing knowledge base where the climate resilience of some crucial UK infrastructure is not known.

In his final speech on water, Sir James Bevan reflected on the debate around water quality over his seven years as Chief Executive, saying that more facts and not assertions are needed on water and warning that it will be “particularly challenging” to achieve good status for all rivers in England.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has today demanded water companies a clear assessment and action plan on every storm overflow from every water and sewerage company in England, prioritising those that are spilling more than a certain number of times a year, and those spilling into bathing waters and high priority nature sites.

Findings from a new survey commissioned by Ofwat suggest a majority of the public trust their water company to ensure water quality, provide a reliable service and inform on problems. However, trust to deliver on all outcomes has steadily fallen over the last year, with half thinking water companies put the interest of shareholders/owners first.

Investor confidence that Ofwat is independent of Government has fallen during the past year - according to the results of the water sector regulator’s annual investor survey, perceptions of Ofwat's independence saw the most significant fall with only 48% agreeing compared with 55% in 2021.

The Times, i-news and the Daily Telegraph have all launched separate ongoing campaigns to tackle water pollution with a specific focus on pressing for action by the Government, water companies, alongside water sector regulators Ofwat and the Environment Agency.

The Good Law Project has announced that it has been granted a hearing in the High Court in its legal challenge to force the Government to take much tougher action to stop water companies from discharging raw sewage into coastal waters.

The Government has asked the National Infrastructure Commission to review the current approach to National Policy Statements (NPSs) and identify how the planning system could create greater certainty for infrastructure investors, developers and local communities.

Both the Chair and Chief Executive of the Office for Environmental Protection, together with Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey and Tamara Finkelstein Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are due to give evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) from 2.00pm onwards today.