FLOODS SHOW THAT WATER IS NOT SCARCE IN UK

INSTEAD national planning is needed with a single body like the Water Resources Board given enough money and responsibility to deal with both flood defences and drought and metering should be downgraded says GMB

GMB, the union for water workers, commented on the flooding that is widespread across the country and on the official policy of Environment Agency, OFWAT, Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee and others that water in parts of the UK is over- abstracted and that water needs to be saved by higher prices using meters. See notes to editors for statements from some bodies.

Gary Smith, GMB National Secretary for energy and utilities, said:- "The notion that water is scarce in the UK is idiotic as the pictures of widespread flooding show. Yet, unbelievably, this ridiculous idea serves as the basis for public policy for water industry. The top priorities for water, of flood defences at times of heavy rainfall in areas prone to flooding and having enough capaCity to transfer and store water from areas of plenty to areas with shortages at times of low rainfall, are downgraded as a direct result of such nonsense. Across the UK we divert less that 2% of the rain that falls to human and industrial use and in the South East less than 10%. Yet scarce money is being spent to promote competition and save water and billions of pounds that should be spent on these priorities have been paid out in dividends to shareholders in a natural monopoly. Highly experienced directly employed water workers have been laid off and replaced with contractors with no knowledge of river flows and weirs and sluices. Along the Thames for example resident lock keepers are being replaced with workers unable to get to the river at times of flooding.  It is no surprise that the water companies have a vested interest to pretend that water is scarce and to close down and sell urban reservoirs for development. An example is the reservoirs in Barn Elms in London that stored 600 million gallons of water which are now closed and parts are used for luxury housing. It is high time to recognize that the Thatcherite privatisation of the water industry has been an extremely costly mistake. It should be reversed. It should not be pursued in Northern Ireland or Scotland. Adequate resources should be used for flood defences in areas prone to flooding and to set up enough capaCity to transfer and store water from areas of plenty to areas with shortages when low rainfall happens again as it will. National planning is needed with a single body like the Water Resources Board given enough money and responsibility to deal with both flood defences and drought. Water metering should be downgraded."

Merseyside's Jean Taylor wins national Influencer Award

JEAN Taylor of Merseyside based Families Fighting for Justice was recognised for her campaigning work at the DSC Social Change Awards in London last Thursday evening.

Jean was presented with the Influencer Award, described as:- "for individuals that really know which buttons to press to make things happen - from campaigning for a change in law to bringing together different groups to achieve what might have seemed impossible." following a public vote on the shortlisted finalists.

The founder of the support group for Merseyside homicide victim's families which also campaigns for tougher prison sentences, directed praise towards the volunteers that help run the group. Jean said:- "This award is really recognising the hard work and passion that drives the volunteers that support us; it's so wonderful they are recognised. It's fantastic that there are awards like this as I don't think volunteers are fully appreciated in this country. To even reach the final three when there were over 200 nominations is overwhelming, and to actually win is very humbling. But the most important thing is that people in Merseyside know we are here. If you have lost someone and are in a dark place, we can help and support you. Please don't suffer in silence, get in touch."

Jean was presented with a unique cartoon drawn by Grizelda that depicts the work of Families Fighting for Justice. The cartoon can be viewed here.

Cut your fuel bills by lighting a fire

WITH a 63% rise in fuel bills since 2008, millions of Brits are in fuel poverty and are turning to alternatives to enable them to eat as well as heat their homes this winter . Wood burning stoves are top of their list as they can generate savings of up to 25% . Rather than being reliant on the prices dictated by utility firms, consumers are taking more direct control of their heating costs.

Families in the UK pay an average of £1,147 per annum with heating and hot water contributing up to half the annual bill. A burning wood stove provides a central heat source, taking away the need to radiate every room in the house, making efficient use of energy. Stoves with a built-in boiler can be connected to the existing central heating system to supply hot water and radiation. If gas heating is replaced by a wood-burning system, savings can be up to £100 a year.

Debbie Andrew, founder of the online kindling and sustainable wood fuel company says:- "Using wood from local, responsible suppliers to heat our homes provides a viable alternative heating source and can reduce the dependence on unstable energy prices. At Remote Lodge we use eco-friendly natural techniques to dry wood collected from local forests and convert it into good quality kindling which doesn't retain too much moisture."

Remote lodge source their kindling as a by-product of tree clearing in managed local areas. When part of sustainable forest management, tree felling reflects a natural woodland cycle; the growth of new trees replacing those ageing.

The "100% British" philosophy ensures that the wood travels very little distance compared to those coming in from Eastern Europe, shortening the supply chain short from farm to fire.

Sourcing from local forests also provides support for the surrounding economy by creating jobs and business opportunities.

For more information, please visit:- kindling.co.uk.