Ed Davey’s gameshow approach to election makes a modest splash Lib Dem leader could argue ‘dignity is less important than coverage’, though he is likely unconcerned by prospect of power The Guardian - UK · Jun 17, 2024
Gladstone would not be welcome in ‘anti-Christian’ Lib Dems, claims top Bishop The Bishop of Winchester Philip Mounstephen has denounced the Lib Dems after claims that a former BBC journalist was deselected by the Lib Dems over his Christian beliefs The Independent UK · Jun 2, 2024
Environment watchdog boss had £100 dinner with water company lobbyists The Liberal Democrats used freedom of information to reveal the gifts and hospitality received by the Environment Agency chief. Evening Standard · Apr 6, 2024
Defra officials buried analysis showing dire financial prospects for hill farmers Exclusive: FoI request reveals fears many would sell up if they saw assessment of post-Brexit farming payments scheme The Guardian - UK · Feb 20, 2024
‘Christmas stink’: UK’s traditional festive swims face rising tide of sewage Lib Dem analysis finds 4,574 hours of sewage has been spilled in festive swimming spots in the last year The Guardian - UK · Dec 23, 2023
Mapped: The record number of polluted spots swimmers are urged to avoid ahead of Christmas swims More than four per cent of the country’s bathing spots have been declared unsafe for swimmers after the latest release of water quality data The Independent UK · Dec 22, 2023
Scrapping plans to close rail ticket offices is a massive win for disabled travellers – but what next? The latest government U-turn was a victory for passengers who have additional needs – but there’s a long way to go before train travel is truly accessible. Hollie-Anne Brooks looks at what more needs to be done to create a transport system for all The Independent UK · Nov 4, 2023
Lib Dems members rebuff leadership with vote to keep housebuilding targets Overwhelming conference vote defies Ed Davey strategy of reshaping policy to court wavering Tory voters The Guardian - UK · Sep 25, 2023
Lib Dems defy leader by voting for housebuilding target – as Farron booed for calling it ‘Thatcherism’ Lib Dem London mayoral candidate Rob Blackie lashed out at Farron in major rift The Independent UK · Sep 25, 2023
Lib Dems would double shared parental pay and increase leave Munira Wilson told party’s conference many men could not afford to spend time with their babies The Guardian - UK · Sep 23, 2023
Statutory shared parental pay would be doubled under Lib Dem proposals New parents are currently eligible for 37 weeks of shared paid leave, which the party wants to extend to 46 weeks. The Independent UK · Sep 23, 2023
Tory peers could stop Gove’s plan to relax pollution rules in England Zac Goldsmith and a former No 10 adviser back Lords rebellion that hopes to maintain river protections The Guardian - UK · Sep 5, 2023
Drivers delayed by increasing number of roadworks caused by water leaks – data The total number of roadworks caused by leaks since January 2020 was 208,407, according to analysis by the Lib Dems. The Independent UK · Aug 24, 2023
Ban sewage discharges over Bank Holiday weekend – Lib Dems The Environment Agency has no record of sewage discharges during July and August Evening Standard · Aug 23, 2023
The Independent UK · Jul 30, 2023 Sewage puts a quarter of people off swimming in the sea It comes after environment secretary Therese Coffey told MPs earlier this month that it was cheaper for water companies to pay a fine than to deal with problem
The Guardian - UK · Jul 12, 2023 Calls for inquiry into appointments of Ofwat chairs past and present Campaigners raise concerns about water industry links as Lib Dems say watchdog should be abolished
The Guardian - UK · Jun 24, 2023 Behold Waterstones Dad – and hurrah for Britain’s new demographic stereotype The latest slicing of social segments is a floating voter and a welcome addition to the merry-go-round of political life, writes Andrew Anthony
The Guardian - UK · May 25, 2023 Water firm to pay shareholders £300m despite anger over leaks and pollution United Utilities accused of ‘making mockery’ by raising dividend in face of sewage spills and continuing leakages
The Guardian - UK · May 20, 2023 ‘The whole thing stinks’: water firms to pay £15bn to shareholders as customers foot sewage bill With cost of cleanup to be passed on to bill payers, analysis shows they will also pay £624 more by 2030 to fund investor payouts
The Independent UK · May 18, 2023 Water bills will rise for decades to stop sewage spills Billpayers face rising costs for decades as they repay the entire £10 billion investment that has been promised
The Independent UK · Apr 13, 2023 Fly-tipping ‘effectively legalised’ under Tories, claim Lib Dems The Liberal Democrats have become the latest party to accuse ministers of failing to tackle rising levels of dumped waste.
The Independent UK · Apr 12, 2023 More than 3,000 storm overflows regularly dumped sewage into waterways last year There was a sharp rise in water firms’ overflows classed as having a ‘high spill frequency’ in England in 2022, according to Lib Dem analysis.
Daily Mirror · Apr 12, 2023 Sewage scandal worsens as data shows 3,000 huge pumps into rivers and sea last year The number of “high spill frequency” discharges, when raw sewage is dumped frequently in one area, rose 63% on the year before. There were 3,275 spills recorded in 2022, up from 2,008 the previous year
The Guardian - UK · Apr 3, 2023 England’s top beaches faced 8,500 hours of sewage dumping last year, study says Many blue flag beaches were covered in waste, and Brighton was among the worst-hit, Lib Dem report shows
Daily Mirror · Apr 3, 2023 Tory ministers recycle wet wipe ban announcement for the THIRD time in five years Environment Secretary Therese Coffey will pledge to consult shoppers and industry on outlawing wet wipes containing plastic fibres over concerns they are creating fatbergs in Britain's sewers