Welsh Government announces clean water plan

ON TUESDAY, February 3, the Welsh Government published its plans to create a new water regulator for Wales.

The proposals respond to the findings of the Independent Water Commission, established jointly by the Welsh Government and UK Government and published in July 2025.

The proposals include creating a new, dedicated Welsh economic regulator for water, supported by new legislation and a new regulatory framework.  

Speaking at a Dŵr Cymru site at Lisvane and Llanishen reservoirs to launch the Green Paper, the Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:  “Our ambition is clear and bold: clean and thriving rivers, safe and high-quality drinking water, fair and affordable services, and modern infrastructure ready for the future.”

“We will strengthen accountability, rebuild trust and create a system that is simpler, stronger and more transparent.”

On the same day, a Labour Party press release claimed the new regulator would tackle water pollution in Pembrokeshire and drew attention to the First Minister’s support for it. However, the new regulator will have no investigatory powers of its own. Instead, it will depend on Natural Resources Wales to provide it with evidence that would enable it to pursue water companies.

At the same time, the Labour Party press release said that Labour would introduce a Clean Water Bill following May’s election.

The announcement raises several questions about the announcement’s timing.

Baroness Morgan and her predecessors have been at pains to defend NRW over questions about its capacity to investigate and prosecute those who pollute Wales’s coastal waters and inland waterways. In response to repeated questioning from Conservative and Plaid Cymru Senedd Members over recent years, Labour ministers have repeatedly claimed they have confidence in NRW and that the body has sufficient money and resources to carry out its role.

The announcement that the Welsh Government intends to create a new body from scratch, with its own staff, statutory obligations, and enforcement powers, inevitably suggests that Labour ministers and First Ministers were not as confident in NRW as they claimed when asked about it. In addition, the announcement of plans for a new regulator does not disclose whether its creation will lead to a cut in NRW’s already overstretched budget or where the money to fund it will come from.

There is little doubt that regulation of the water industry is outdated and overly complex. However, adding another layer of bureaucracy could diminish whatever benefits streamlining the legal framework governing it might deliver.

In the Senedd on Wednesday, Conservative Shadow Minister Janet Finch-Saunders asked Huw Irranca-Davies about the timing of the Welsh Government’s announcement about a new regulator.

He ducked the question but went on to issue a statement suggesting that whatever a new regulator did, much of it was already underway.

The Deputy First Minister said: “We don’t need to wait for the outcomes of the Green Paper, or new legislation, to get on with fixing the problems with the infrastructure, the levels of customer satisfaction, the leakage, and so on.

“The pressure is on both of our water companies to perform for the customers who have seen over the last year and now are going to see those bigger bills landing. Now, that does deliver £6 billion investment, so we absolutely need to see that being delivered—not waiting, but, in this price period, actually investing in the priorities that will stop those combined sewer overflows polluting the river, stop the sewage outfalls, and right across the piece as well.”

The Conservative position has previously been clear: NRW isn’t working and needs to be broken up and replaced. In particular, the Conservatives have focused on the need for a separate and independent water regulator with both investigative and enforcement powers, and the resources to fulfil those responsibilities. Whatever the next Welsh Government decides to do with the proposals, Tuesday’s announcement does not meet that aim.

Shopkeepers say hike may push trade into England while ministers insist policy will save lives

INDEPENDENT retailers have reacted cautiously after the Welsh Government confirmed a 30 per cent increase to the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Wales.

From October 2026, the price will rise from 50p to 65p per unit, meaning some of the cheapest drinks will see noticeable increases. A can of beer currently sold for £1 will cost at least £1.30 under the new rules.

The change brings Wales into line with Scotland, where a similar pricing structure already applies.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), which represents many small convenience stores and off-licences, said it does not oppose the move in principle but warned it could hurt businesses near the border.

Clive Birkby, the Fed’s Wales president, said: “The Fed has raised no objection to this change which mirrors that in Scotland. In the past, supermarkets have sold alcohol as super cheap loss-leading products – something which is damaging to small shops and also to those advocating responsible consumption.

“We have highlighted concerns, though, for how this policy will impact our members who are close to the border with England, given that England does not have MUP. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy change and what it might do to reduce problem drinking and the health and social impact of that.”

He added that both the Welsh Government and Westminster should invest more in public education about responsible drinking.

Minimum pricing was first introduced in Wales in 2020. Last year the Fed responded to a government consultation on the proposed increase, calling for clearer guidance for retailers and better communication ahead of any changes.

Announcing the rise, mental health and wellbeing minister Sarah Murphy said the evidence showed minimum pricing reduced alcohol-related harm.

“Cheap, high-strength alcohol disproportionately affects hazardous and harmful drinkers,” she said. “The evidence is clear – minimum unit pricing works. We have taken a decision which will save lives and help protect many people from the harms caused by drinking too much alcohol.”

However, Welsh Conservatives criticised the policy, arguing it will simply increase costs for shoppers during a continuing cost-of-living squeeze.

The new pricing rules will come into force across Wales in October next year.

After rescued from Welsh beach – Elvis has been released into the wild

It was a little less conversation and a little more action please, for one seal this week!

Elvis – who was rescued back in September from the rocks at Porthcawl seafront – has finally left the building after spending the last few months at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre.

On Monday (February 2) Elvis (who is in fact a she) was released back into the wild alongside five other seals – named as singers and bands – Sleep Token, Wurzel, Arctic Monkey, Benson Boone, Fleetwood Mac – who have all completed a stint of rehabilitation with the RSPCA.

Affectionately named Elvis after the popular Elvis festival held in Porthcawl every September – the seal pup had been rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue with support from the local RNLI team. She was injured and malnourished and had also been separated from her mother.

She was taken into the care of the RSPCA and taken to RSPCA West Hatch where the charity’s wildlife rehabilitation team help the seals build up the strength they need to be fit enough to be released.

The seals are initially brought to the centre’s intensive care pens before they are moved into a pool when they gain weight and begin self-feeding.

Each seal pup rehabilitated by the RSPCA West Hatch can remain in care for a number of months and during this time the centre will be spending on average £1,400 a week on fish and veterinary care during seal season – which typically runs from September to March.

Before release, the seals are given identification tags in their hind flippers for ID purposes. The RSPCA often receives good feedback from sightings – and scientific results have revealed that seals that go on from rehabilitation to survive and thrive in the wild.

This group of seals were released from Devon which for a seal is just a short journey from where Elvis was rescued from.

Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said: “It was such a wonderful moment to witness Elvis along with the other seals confidently swim out into the sea.

“Elvis progressed through rehabilitation very well. Upon her admission on 16 September, she weighed 13.6kg and completed a five-day course of antibiotics to treat wounds on her fore flippers and chin, which have since healed.

“She has spent a lot of time in one of our deeper outside pools with another seal named Dido and once she gained enough weight she was fit for release. Unfortunately we had a few storms and bad weather we had to wait to pass – but we’re delighted she is now where she belongs – along with the other seals too!

“As always their success story is down to a real team effort from the initial rescuers to all the vets, staff and volunteers at West Hatch and to the public.”

The other seals who were released alongside Elvis were:

• Benson Boone – who was rescued from Pembrokeshire. He came into RSPCA care very lethargic and skinny.
• Sleep Token – who came into RSPCA care after being rescued from Cornwall. He was underweight and had various wounds.
• Arctic Monkey – was one of the first seals of the season and was rescued from Devon.
• Wurzel – was rescued from Cornwall, and came in underweight and covered in wounds.
• Fleetwood Mac – was rescued from Devon, was also underweight and had wounds.

Their progress and release was captured by RSPCA photographer Emma Jacobs.

She said: “I have been following Elvis’s progress and rehabilitation, so it was absolutely wonderful to witness her release into the wild.

“Our precious wildlife desperately needs our help and support. It’s been amazing to follow this group of seals as they gained strength ready for release.

“So many species of native wildlife are sadly threatened, and many have seen reductions in numbers, so it’s important for all of us to do everything we can to support wildlife to make sure every kind thrives in its natural environment.”

The RSPCA works in partnership with a number of other organisations to come to the aid of seals.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ellie West added: “We’d like to thank the RNLI and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for bringing Elvis to safety. Partnership working is so important in helping us to reach seals and we work closely with many organisations.”

The animal welfare charity advises that if members of the public spot a seal on a beach that they observe them from a distance and do not approach them. Seals are wild animals and have a nasty bite if they feel threatened. It is also advised people keep dogs on leads on beaches that have seal colonies too.

“It’s not unusual to see a seal pup by itself, as their mothers will leave the pups alone very early on in life, feeding in the sea then returning to feed them.” said Ellie. “If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours. 

“However, if the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours or the pup appears distressed, injured or unwell, or is on a busy public beach, our emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. Please always stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away – seals can have a very nasty bite if threatened.”