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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Nadeem Badshah

Minister calls on water firms to introduce more hosepipe bans

George Eustice England Environment Drought
A dried-up bed of the River Thames near Somerford Keynes in Gloucestershire.
The dried-up River Thames in Gloucestershire. The statement by George Eustice is the first public intervention by a minister over the potential drought. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Further hosepipe bans could be introduced after the environment secretary called for water companies to implement restrictions, the first public intervention by a minister over the potential drought.

George Eustice said it was “right” that some firms had already taken action to address the driest period in England since 1976.

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