UK government ‘irresponsible’ for not publishing emergency drought plans

Alongside statutory drought plans, water companies must produce emergency drought plans, details of which are kept secret to ‘avoid alarming the public’. Photograph: Jon Super/AP

The UK government has been accused of a lack of transparency and of acting irresponsibly for refusing to publish the emergency drought plans that are produced by water companies.

Water firms are required to publish statutory drought plans every five years to detail the actions needed to ensure public water supply is maintained and the environment is protected during drought.