Latest news with #Wessex
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wessex Water praised for no serious pollution incidents last year
Wessex Water has been commended for not causing any serious pollution incidents last year. The Environment Agency (EA) found the utility company was one of only two water and sewerage firms not to commit any major incidents in 2024. However, a 53 per cent increase in pollution incidents of lesser severity (category one to three) has been recorded for Wessex Water. This comes amid a wider critique of the water sector, with serious pollution incidents rising 60 per cent from 2023. The EA said it was aware of 75 major and significant incidents in 2024, up from 47 the previous year. Altogether, 2,801 incidents were recorded by water companies last year, up 29 per cent from 2023. The EA said persistent underinvestment in infrastructure, poor asset maintenance, and climate change were reasons for the sector's poor performance. Despite this, the EA praised the positive efforts of Wessex Water. Ed Lockington, the EA's water industry regulation manager, said: "We're pleased to see that by not causing any serious pollution incidents last year, Wessex Water has met not just our expectation but the public's. "That is a high bar to maintain, but nothing less is acceptable for the environment we all rely on." However, Mr Lockington said Wessex Water still has room for improvement. He added: "It is disappointing to see its total number of pollutions rose by just over half - there is clearly more work to be done." The EA carried out 422 inspections of Wessex Water sites last year, 35 per cent more than targeted. The findings from these inspections are shared with the company to help focus efforts on improving its network, customer service, and environmental obligations. The EA stated that 24 per cent of sites breached their permits last year. The agency is clear that none of these factors, including wet weather, can excuse the high number of incidents last year. Water companies are required to meet their legal obligations to the environment and communities or face enforcement action. Alan Lovell, chair of the EA, said: "This report demonstrates continued systemic failure by some companies to meet their environmental targets. "The water industry must act urgently to prevent pollution from occurring and to respond rapidly when it does." The EA has more powers to take action against polluting companies under the Water (Special Measures) Act. To boost funding for water regulation, the EA is considering a levy on the water sector to recover the cost of enforcement activities. The act also requires companies to produce annual pollution incident reduction plans to address persistent problems and prevent future incidents.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prime Video's ‘Bloodaxe' Adds Six To Cast
Prime Video's Viking drama Bloodaxe has added five as series regulars: Karlis Arnolds Avots (January), Rod Hallett (Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes), Alina Tomnikov (Donna), Sisse Marie (Rebel Moon), and Rune Temte (Eddie the Eagle). Additionally, Jesper Christensen (Spectre) has boarded as recurring. Avots plays Egil, a poet, farmer, murderer, sorcerer, ladies' man, and a bit of a psychopath, who is seeking revenge on Erik Bloodaxe (Molyneux) for the exile of his family to Iceland by Erik's father, King Harald Fairhair. More from Deadline 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 2 Recap: What To Remember Ahead Of Season 3 'Upload' Sets Release Date For Fourth & Final Season At Prime Video All The Taylor Swift Songs In 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' So Far ... & Our Predictions On Season 3's Needle Drops Hallett plays Athelstan, the shrewd and powerful King of Wessex, who is also a formidable warrior. Years ago, he formed a strategic alliance with King Fairhair concerning his young son Haakon, and has been grooming him for future leadership, and to ensure his influence extends beyond Wessex. Tomnikov portrays the dual roles of Greta and The Seer. Greta is an esteemed shield maiden and close member of Bloodaxe's trusted group of warriors. However, it's revealed that she has the ability to transform into the form of an ancient woman, known as The Seer, who possesses an all-seeing power, and the ability to divine the future as ordained by the gods themselves. Marie is Thyra, the Queen of Denmark, wife of Gorm, and mother to Gunnhild. She is an admired figure, cunning and steadfast, and will do whatever she can to ensure the longevity of her and Gorm's power and rule. Temte plays Gorm, the King of Denmark, husband to Thyra, and father to Gunnhild. Sharp and devious, Gorm lacks the brash, hot-headedness prized in many Norsemen, but his calculating, diplomatic, and occasionally brutal approach to rule has made him one of the most formidable powers in Scandinavia. Christensen portrays King Harald Fairhair. The First King of all Norway who conquered his many powerful rivals, nearing the end of his legendary reign. Fairhair relies on the love and support of his son, Bloodaxe, and begins to fear that many of his sons are now plotting against him. As previously announced, Jessica Madsen and Levi Miller will also star, playing the respective roles of Bloodaxe's wife Gunnhild, aka the Mother of Kings, and his younger half-brother Haakon the Good. Created, written, and exec produced by Vikings creator Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst, Bloodaxe follows Erik Bloodaxe, one of history's most famous Norse raiders, and his formidable wife, Gunnhild as they fight for the throne of Norway. In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals. With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom, drawing in the ruthless Kings of other Scandinavian countries, and even a powerful English ruler, the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling and utterly magical new Norse Saga. Officially ordered in March, the show will be produced by MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, with production beginning in Ireland and Iceland later this summer. Michael and Horatio Hirst will showrun and write, exec producing alongside Morgan O'Sullivan under his O'Sullivan Productions label, Steve Stark under his Toluca Pictures label, Arturo Interian, John Weber, Sheila Hockin, and Fred Toye. Avots and Tomnikov are repped by Lisa Richards Agency and Subtitle Talent; Hallett by United Agents, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Marie by Panorama Agency, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Felker Toczek Suddleson; Temte by Actors in Scandinavia and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; and Christensen by Tavistock Wood Management and Spielkind. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Men of Steel: Every Actor Who Has Played Superman - Photo Gallery 'Michael' Cast: Who's Who In The Michael Jackson Biopic
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Investors stripping cash from water firms ‘criminal' says ex-Wessex Water chief
Colin Skellett, who helmed the south-west England utility from 1988 to 2024, argued against nationalising water companies because of the industry requiring 'continuous levels of investment'. He spoke as campaigners and experts urged the Government to explore public ownership during the UK River Summit in south London on Tuesday. Ministers have promised a 'fundamental reset' following years of companies paying out large dividend that diverted money away from infrastructure investment and maintenance, leading to sewage pollution and rising bills. However, they have ruled out nationalisation and instead are focusing efforts on tightening rules, increasing investment and strengthening penalties within the current system of regulated private firms. Minister Emma Hardy talking about tackling sewage with @RiverActionUK but the government is ignoring the reality: 7 European countries with highest average of 90%+ bathing sites achieving 'excellent' status – all are 90%+ publicly owned 🇨🇾🇦🇹🇬🇷🇲🇹🇭🇷🇩🇪🇩🇰 — Cat Hobbs (@CatHobbs) July 8, 2025 Speaking at the summit, Mr Skellett said he has seen the industry change since he joined it in 1974, saying it is one that 'requires continuous levels of investment'. 'The problem with public ownership is the Government always has other things it wants to spend its money on,' the former Wessex boss said. He argued that privatisation helped to get debt off the Government's balance sheet and boost investment but this changed when the 'wrong sort of investors' began stripping cash out of companies through high dividends. 'It was bloody criminal what happened – the amount of money that was stripped out of not just Thames (Water), but a number of companies,' he said. 'So we need that to change (in) the system. It's not so much about ownership, it's more about how you regulate it, how you control it, and how you make sure the investment continues.' It came as the Environment Department (Defra) announced an increase in funding for the Environment Agency from £114 million in 2022/23 to £189 million this current financial year, a sum which is understood to have been welcomed by the regulator. 🚨REVEALED: Over half of adults in England don't trust the Government to end the UK's sewage crisis. And who can blame them? 💩 158,000+ sewage spills already this year. 📣 We're in London today, demanding the radical change we need. Are you with us?✊➡️ Email your MP today and… — Surfers Against Sewage (@sascampaigns) July 2, 2025 Ministers are also currently awaiting the publication of the independent water commission's final report and recommendations, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is expected in two weeks. The review is not exploring nationalisation as an option, with campaigners at the summit indicating they will continue to campaign on the issue following its publication. Ewan McGaughey, professor of law at King's College London, argued that the Government should take away licences from failing water companies and transition them into a long-term sustainable model of public ownership, calling privatisation in England a 'broken model'. Mr McGaughey said 90% of countries and cities around the world have water in public ownership and cited examples such as Berlin and Paris, which brought their sectors back into public ownership in 2013 and 2009 respectively after the privatised model failed. 'Bills go down. Water quality goes up. It's actually not really that controversial. You just have to look at the evidence, and you can see that public ownership works better,' he said. Cat Hobbs, founder and We Own It, which campaigns for public ownership of public services, said the Government's decision to not allow the independent review to explore nationalisation is a 'scandal'. 'That has to change. They still have time to change it,' she said, And Ashley Smith, founder of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP), called privatisation a 'ludicrous scam', arguing that there has never been a single year since the firms were privatised when shareholders put in more money than they took out of the firms. Environment minister Emma Hardy defended the Government's approach (House of Commons/UK Parliament) Later, water minister Emma Hardy defended the Government's approach to reforming the sector. 'There's been a lack of sustained investment in the industry for an incredibly long time,' she told the summit. 'We have taken immediate action, but there are some things that, of course, are going to take longer to fix. 'We want to listen to you and we can have difference of opinion – that is absolutely fine but I want to make sure that we try and bring as many people with us as possible because fundamentally we're all trying to get to the same place and that place is an effective water system with reduced pollution which is better for customers and better for the environment.' Ms Hardy called the Cunliffe report a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise (the sector)' and said the Government will give a top-level reaction to the review before looking at any potential further legislation.
South Wales Guardian
08-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Investors stripping cash from water firms ‘criminal' says ex-Wessex Water chief
Colin Skellett, who helmed the south-west England utility from 1988 to 2024, argued against nationalising water companies because of the industry requiring 'continuous levels of investment'. He spoke as campaigners and experts urged the Government to explore public ownership during the UK River Summit in south London on Tuesday. Ministers have promised a 'fundamental reset' following years of companies paying out large dividend that diverted money away from infrastructure investment and maintenance, leading to sewage pollution and rising bills. However, they have ruled out nationalisation and instead are focusing efforts on tightening rules, increasing investment and strengthening penalties within the current system of regulated private firms. Minister Emma Hardy talking about tackling sewage with @RiverActionUK but the government is ignoring the reality: 7 European countries with highest average of 90%+ bathing sites achieving 'excellent' status – all are 90%+ publicly owned 🇨🇾🇦🇹🇬🇷🇲🇹🇭🇷🇩🇪🇩🇰 — Cat Hobbs (@CatHobbs) July 8, 2025 Speaking at the summit, Mr Skellett said he has seen the industry change since he joined it in 1974, saying it is one that 'requires continuous levels of investment'. 'The problem with public ownership is the Government always has other things it wants to spend its money on,' the former Wessex boss said. He argued that privatisation helped to get debt off the Government's balance sheet and boost investment but this changed when the 'wrong sort of investors' began stripping cash out of companies through high dividends. 'It was bloody criminal what happened – the amount of money that was stripped out of not just Thames (Water), but a number of companies,' he said. 'So we need that to change (in) the system. It's not so much about ownership, it's more about how you regulate it, how you control it, and how you make sure the investment continues.' It came as the Environment Department (Defra) announced an increase in funding for the Environment Agency from £114 million in 2022/23 to £189 million this current financial year, a sum which is understood to have been welcomed by the regulator. 🚨REVEALED: Over half of adults in England don't trust the Government to end the UK's sewage crisis. And who can blame them? 💩 158,000+ sewage spills already this year. 📣 We're in London today, demanding the radical change we need. Are you with us?✊➡️ Email your MP today and… — Surfers Against Sewage (@sascampaigns) July 2, 2025 Ministers are also currently awaiting the publication of the independent water commission's final report and recommendations, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is expected in two weeks. The review is not exploring nationalisation as an option, with campaigners at the summit indicating they will continue to campaign on the issue following its publication. Ewan McGaughey, professor of law at King's College London, argued that the Government should take away licences from failing water companies and transition them into a long-term sustainable model of public ownership, calling privatisation in England a 'broken model'. Mr McGaughey said 90% of countries and cities around the world have water in public ownership and cited examples such as Berlin and Paris, which brought their sectors back into public ownership in 2013 and 2009 respectively after the privatised model failed. 'Bills go down. Water quality goes up. It's actually not really that controversial. You just have to look at the evidence, and you can see that public ownership works better,' he said. Cat Hobbs, founder and We Own It, which campaigns for public ownership of public services, said the Government's decision to not allow the independent review to explore nationalisation is a 'scandal'. 'That has to change. They still have time to change it,' she said, And Ashley Smith, founder of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP), called privatisation a 'ludicrous scam', arguing that there has never been a single year since the firms were privatised when shareholders put in more money than they took out of the firms. Later, water minister Emma Hardy defended the Government's approach to reforming the sector. 'There's been a lack of sustained investment in the industry for an incredibly long time,' she told the summit. 'We have taken immediate action, but there are some things that, of course, are going to take longer to fix. 'We want to listen to you and we can have difference of opinion – that is absolutely fine but I want to make sure that we try and bring as many people with us as possible because fundamentally we're all trying to get to the same place and that place is an effective water system with reduced pollution which is better for customers and better for the environment.' Ms Hardy called the Cunliffe report a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise (the sector)' and said the Government will give a top-level reaction to the review before looking at any potential further legislation.
North Wales Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Investors stripping cash from water firms ‘criminal' says ex-Wessex Water chief
Colin Skellett, who helmed the south-west England utility from 1988 to 2024, argued against nationalising water companies because of the industry requiring 'continuous levels of investment'. He spoke as campaigners and experts urged the Government to explore public ownership during the UK River Summit in south London on Tuesday. Ministers have promised a 'fundamental reset' following years of companies paying out large dividend that diverted money away from infrastructure investment and maintenance, leading to sewage pollution and rising bills. However, they have ruled out nationalisation and instead are focusing efforts on tightening rules, increasing investment and strengthening penalties within the current system of regulated private firms. Minister Emma Hardy talking about tackling sewage with @RiverActionUK but the government is ignoring the reality: 7 European countries with highest average of 90%+ bathing sites achieving 'excellent' status – all are 90%+ publicly owned 🇨🇾🇦🇹🇬🇷🇲🇹🇭🇷🇩🇪🇩🇰 — Cat Hobbs (@CatHobbs) July 8, 2025 Speaking at the summit, Mr Skellett said he has seen the industry change since he joined it in 1974, saying it is one that 'requires continuous levels of investment'. 'The problem with public ownership is the Government always has other things it wants to spend its money on,' the former Wessex boss said. He argued that privatisation helped to get debt off the Government's balance sheet and boost investment but this changed when the 'wrong sort of investors' began stripping cash out of companies through high dividends. 'It was bloody criminal what happened – the amount of money that was stripped out of not just Thames (Water), but a number of companies,' he said. 'So we need that to change (in) the system. It's not so much about ownership, it's more about how you regulate it, how you control it, and how you make sure the investment continues.' It came as the Environment Department (Defra) announced an increase in funding for the Environment Agency from £114 million in 2022/23 to £189 million this current financial year, a sum which is understood to have been welcomed by the regulator. 🚨REVEALED: Over half of adults in England don't trust the Government to end the UK's sewage crisis. And who can blame them? 💩 158,000+ sewage spills already this year. 📣 We're in London today, demanding the radical change we need. Are you with us?✊➡️ Email your MP today and… — Surfers Against Sewage (@sascampaigns) July 2, 2025 Ministers are also currently awaiting the publication of the independent water commission's final report and recommendations, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is expected in two weeks. The review is not exploring nationalisation as an option, with campaigners at the summit indicating they will continue to campaign on the issue following its publication. Ewan McGaughey, professor of law at King's College London, argued that the Government should take away licences from failing water companies and transition them into a long-term sustainable model of public ownership, calling privatisation in England a 'broken model'. Mr McGaughey said 90% of countries and cities around the world have water in public ownership and cited examples such as Berlin and Paris, which brought their sectors back into public ownership in 2013 and 2009 respectively after the privatised model failed. 'Bills go down. Water quality goes up. It's actually not really that controversial. You just have to look at the evidence, and you can see that public ownership works better,' he said. Cat Hobbs, founder and We Own It, which campaigns for public ownership of public services, said the Government's decision to not allow the independent review to explore nationalisation is a 'scandal'. 'That has to change. They still have time to change it,' she said, And Ashley Smith, founder of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP), called privatisation a 'ludicrous scam', arguing that there has never been a single year since the firms were privatised when shareholders put in more money than they took out of the firms. Later, water minister Emma Hardy defended the Government's approach to reforming the sector. 'There's been a lack of sustained investment in the industry for an incredibly long time,' she told the summit. 'We have taken immediate action, but there are some things that, of course, are going to take longer to fix. 'We want to listen to you and we can have difference of opinion – that is absolutely fine but I want to make sure that we try and bring as many people with us as possible because fundamentally we're all trying to get to the same place and that place is an effective water system with reduced pollution which is better for customers and better for the environment.' Ms Hardy called the Cunliffe report a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise (the sector)' and said the Government will give a top-level reaction to the review before looking at any potential further legislation.
