The National Infrastructure Commission, the UK government’s independent advisers on national infrastructure, has taken space in One Embankment, the central Leeds offices which also serve as the headquarters of the UK Infrastructure Bank.

The Government has accepted an amendment by the Liberal Democrats to the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill currently making its way its way through Parliament which would see water firms lose access to public funds unless they commit to stop sewage discharges.

The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has expressed surprise and disappointment after the government disagreed with key recommendations in its report on dealing with the growing problem of plastic waste.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has warned a House of Lords Select Committee that a change in direction by Environment Minister Therese Coffey could result in customers facing the “double whammy of unaffordable bills and an environment starved of vital investment.”

Ofwat has said that its forward work programme 2023-24 will include the conclusion of its project to consider how the water companies and the regulator can use insights from whistle-blowers to improve the water companies’ performance.

Ofwat is today launching the Water Discovery Challenge, a new £4 million competition for innovators outside of the water sector with bold ideas that can help solve some of its biggest challenges.

The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee will continue its inquiry on the work of Ofwat by taking evidence from Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 3pm tomorrow.

Ofwat has asked the water companies in England and Wales to set out their preparations for and response to the mid-December 2022 freeze thaw event – and expressed concerns that “some companies may have failed to support their customers in the manner we would expect.”