tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/search/news-and-communications News and communications from Emma Hardy MP 2026-05-21T10:32:00+01:00 HM Government tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/new-offshore-wind-environmental-protection-powering-homes 2026-05-21T10:32:00+01:00 New offshore wind environmental protection powering homes New reforms taking effect today will speed up offshore wind development while expanding targeted environmental compensation options to support nature recovery. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/13-new-bathing-sites-open-across-england-helping-communities-and-waterways 2026-05-14T22:30:01+01:00 13 new bathing sites open across England helping communities and waterways Designated sites include first-ever site on the River Thames in London tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/call-for-evidence-launches-on-pet-flea-and-tick-treatments-in-uk-waterways 2026-04-16T09:55:07+01:00 Call for evidence launches on pet flea and tick treatments in UK waterways New drive could help reduce environmental impact tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/better-flood-protection-target-exceeded 2026-04-15T10:08:47+01:00 Better flood protection target exceeded New flood defences already operational, protecting homes through wet months and set to help prevent an estimated £10 billion in damage tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/uk-scientists-unite-for-seabed-survey-off-the-south-west-coast 2026-04-15T09:01:52+01:00 UK scientists unite for seabed survey off the south‑west coast A four‑week seabed mapping survey will bring together scientists from 11 organisations to improve understanding of the marine environment. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/crackdown-on-water-companies-delivers-record-funding-to-restore-harm-done-to-waterways 2026-04-13T22:30:03+01:00 Crackdown on water companies delivers record funding to restore harm done to waterways Record £8.5 million funding secured through enforcement action will be reinvested directly into repairing harm to rivers and habitats tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/united-utilities-guilty-plea-to-action-that-led-to-fish-deaths 2026-04-10T16:46:41+01:00 United Utilities guilty plea to action that led to fish deaths Following an Environment Agency investigation, United Utilities pleaded guilty to introducing thousands of fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/inspections-target-smashed-with-10000-health-checks-on-water-network 2026-03-30T22:30:02+01:00 Inspections target smashed with 10,000 health checks on water network Environment Agency completes record number of water company inspections driving improved performance across the sector tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/largest-ever-enforcement-workforce-protecting-waterways-from-pollution 2026-03-30T17:06:15+01:00 Largest ever enforcement workforce protecting waterways from pollution Environment Agency water enforcement team increases by almost fivefold since 2023 tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/fewer-and-shorter-storm-overflow-spills-in-2025-new-monitoring-data-shows 2026-03-26T09:30:24+00:00 Fewer and shorter storm overflow spills in 2025, new monitoring data shows New data published today by the Environment Agency shows a significant reduction in both the number and duration of storm overflow spills across England compared to 2024 tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/england-recovered-from-drought-as-weather-whiplash-sees-floods 2026-03-23T17:01:21+00:00 England recovered from drought as weather whiplash sees floods Heavy rainfall sees water levels recover across England with all areas now back to normal status tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/14bn-flood-investment-unleashed-to-protect-homes-and-businesses 2026-03-17T00:01:00+00:00 £1.4bn flood investment unleashed to protect homes and businesses £830m in funding for flood schemes for 2026/27 to improve protection for tens of thousands of homes and businesses – part of record investment of at least £10.5 billion between 2024-2036 tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/reduced-bills-for-around-300000-households-in-watersure-reform 2026-03-06T00:01:02+00:00 Reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform Around 300,000 low‑income households will see lower water bills thanks to the biggest overhaul of WaterSure in nearly 30 years. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/water-minister-at-world-water-tech-innovation-summit 2026-02-24T11:19:25+00:00 Water Minister at World Water-Tech Innovation Summit Water Minister Emma Hardy delivered the opening keynote speech at the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit in London tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/environment-agency-warns-of-ongoing-flood-risk-in-somerset-and-dorset 2026-02-20T13:06:26+00:00 Further rain expected as Environment Agency warns of ongoing flood risk The public is urged to remain vigilant tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/communities-set-to-benefit-from-13-new-bathing-spots-proposed-across-england 2026-02-13T11:01:53+00:00 Communities set to benefit from 13 new bathing spots proposed across England Proposed sites include the first ever on the River Thames in London tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/floods-minister-visits-somerset-communities-impacted-by-recent-weather 2026-02-10T15:37:00+00:00 Floods Minister visits Somerset communities impacted by recent weather Emma Hardy spoke with EA officers on the ground to learn more about the response. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/iconic-canals-to-be-better-protected-with-65-million-investment 2026-02-04T14:16:16+00:00 Iconic canals to be better protected with £6.5 million investment Funding will support repair, maintenance and long-term projects. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/uks-first-ever-plan-to-tackle-forever-chemicals 2026-02-03T00:01:09+00:00 UK’s first-ever plan to tackle 'forever chemicals' New framework will protect public health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/30-million-boost-for-coastal-communities-adapting-to-eroding-shores 2026-01-28T10:30:05+00:00 £30 million boost for coastal communities adapting to eroding shores New Coastal Adaptation Pilots to help England's most at-risk coastal areas prepare for climate change.