Drought: Impact and Policies

Debate between Lord Shamash and Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

I always like ambition—it is a very good thing—but we have to set targets that are attainable and achievable. As the noble Duke said, water companies have to halve leakage across the industry by 2050—that is compared with 2017-18 levels. We saw a 12% reduction in total leakage last year, and we want to continue that and move more quickly, so we have invested £720 million through the current Ofwat price review period in smart technology, including meters, to help identify and reduce leakage. I am sure that if we can move more quickly, we will be very happy to do so.

[Lord Shamash (Lab)]

My Lords, in view of the kind of climate that we are all now entering into, what thought have the Government given, perhaps in the water Bill, to the construction of desalination plants?

[Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)]

Obviously, desalination is an important part of moving forward when we have concerns around the amount of water that we have, and we are very keen to work more proactively in this space. One thing I am sure my noble friend is aware of is that water companies need to demonstrate that schemes will maintain secure water supplies. That includes the eight new desalination schemes that have been proposed in the current water resourcing management plan, so it is something we are keen to move forward with.