Let-off for filthy rich.
All this week greedy, shameless water companies have been dumping raw sewage into our seas and rivers.
This is not a one-off. In the last year they discharged filthy water over 400,000 times.
After a public outcry, the Government has published a plan to clean up our waterways. This could have been a moment to force companies to start putting people before profits.
But the proposals let the privatised firms off the hook. They will continue to be allowed to discharge sewage into bathing waters for another 13 years and will not be forced to totally end the practice till 2050.
Ministers have also given bosses the green light to raise bills to pay for the improvements.
This means shareholders will continue to be quids in while taxpayers will be worse off.
Households shouldn’t have to pay more because rapacious companies failed to do the job they were entrusted with.
And we shouldn’t have to wait for more than a quarter of a century for our rivers and seas to be free from sewage.
Friends matter
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PA)
Liz Truss may have been seeking a cheap laugh when she said the jury was out on whether Emmanuel Macron was a friend or foe.
But her glib comments were unbecoming of someone seeking to be the next PM.
At a time when we need to stand united in the face of Russian aggression, it is more important than ever for Britain to maintain good relations with France.
We will also need its help dealing with Channel migrants, resolving post-Brexit tensions and combating terrorism.
Of course we will not see eye to eye on every issue but Mr Macron, in case Ms Truss needs reminding, is very much this country’s friend and it is Vladimir Putin who is the enemy.
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Getty Images)
A dream cure
Seven in 10 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented by a decent night’s kip.
That’s definitely something to sleep on.