Rebecca Pow

A red squirrel feeds in the Trosssachs on September 28, 2018 in Aberfoyle, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Tackling threat of grey squirrels to red squirrel population: Rebecca Pow
I have seen red squirrels up close and personal at a place called Snaizeholme in the Yorkshire Dales. Once seen, they are never forgotten. I am a massive Beatri...

With just 30cm of flowing water being enough to float a car, drivers are warned to take extra precautions in wet weather and not to attempt to drive through flood water.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

People warned to implement flood planning and preparation as risks increase

The village of Fishlake, Doncaster, submerged under flood water in 2019. Thousands of people had been evacuated as homes and businesses across northern England were destroyed. SWNS.

Flooding: 325,000 Yorkshire properties at risk as climate crisis worsens

Yorkshire Water's performance improved in the last year according to a report from the Environment Agency.

Yorkshire Water rating improved in latest Environment Agency report

Workers from Thames Water delivering a temporary water supply from a tanker, as ministers have continued efforts to reassure Thames Water customers that their supplies would not be affected as a result of the financial troubles faced by the firm. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Arguments for water industry staying private are draining away: David Behrens

The town has been hit hard by flooding in previous years (Getty Images)

Yorkshire to recieve flood defence funding following Hebden Bridge incident

‘South Yorkshire isn’t a sewer’, former mayor’s horror at 26 sewage spills a day in region

‘South Yorkshire isn’t a sewer’: Former mayor Dan Jarvis

England’s 10 water companies recorded 301,091 discharges through storm overflows in 2022 – an average of 824 a day.

Drop in sewage spills recorded by water companies 'down to dry weather'

An aerial view of the drying out bed and receded water levels at Lindley Wood Reservoir in Otley, this summer. PIC: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Yorkshire Water must raise its game - Rebecca Pow

Fishlake in South Yorkshire under water after floods. Picture: SWNS.

Yorkshire getting more flood defence cash than any other region - Rebecca Pow

The River Wharfe in Ilkley.

Release of raw sewage into Yorkshire's water must stop - Rebecca Pow

Boots to stop selling all plastic-based wet wipes by end of the year

Morrisons will phase out peat-based compost at its 497 stores and 303 garden centres across the UK by the end of the year, to help customers to garden more sustainably.

Morrisons to switch to peat-free compost to protect environment

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, himself an arable farmer, wants Defra to move its HQ to North Yorkshire.

Time to move Defra to York ; here’s why – The Yorkshire Post says

Julian Sturdy has suggested Defra could benefit from being based closer to farming communities

Moving Defra to Yorkshire 'makes perfect sense', suggests Tory MP

Julian Sturdy said he is concerned about the UK's food production policies.

UK 'risks sleepwalking into food crisis' without policy changes, warns Sturdy

(Photo: Miles Willis/Getty Images for Go Ultra Low)

Paved driveways could be banned as house builders face new restrictions

Leeds City Council announced the Clean Air Zone was “no longer required” in October 2020 because the city's air quality had significantly improved following “a dramatic shift to cleaner vehicles”.

Yorkshire council had 'no legal authority' to set up £29m Clean Air Zone

Fishlake suffered devastating flooding in November 2019. Picture: Tom Maddick/SWNS

South Yorkshire's pioneering £400m flood protection plan revealed

Bathers at the River Wharfe, Ilkley, last summer. Photo: Bruce Rollinson.

River pollution is national scandal – The Yorkshire Post says

Rebecca Pow is the Floods Minister.

Our pledge to flooding victims – Yorkshire Post Letters
From: Rebecca Pow, Minister for Flooding, Defra.
YP Letters

Handout photo issued by Lucy Sheridan of flooding in Snaith, East Yorkshire, where homes have been evacuated after the River Aire burst its banks (February 2020)

Politicians working 'very closely' to make sure new housing sustainable

The cost of a single-use carrier bag has now increased from 5p to 10p for all businesses in England (Photo: Shutterstock)

Cost of single-use carrier bags in England increases to 10p across all businesse...

The letter to Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said the Government's stance was "outdated"

A national ban on sky lanterns is called for by rural coalition

All stores in England will have to increase the price of single-use plastic bags (Shutterstock)

Plastic bag charge to double from 5p to 10p within days - what you need to know

The Government is planning changes to how wood burning stoves can be used. Picture: PA

Restrictions on sale of coal and wet wood to heat homes come into force

Stock photo of final touches being made to a display in a clothes store on Oxford Street, central London. Photo: PA

UK has 10 years to transform fashion to meet climate aims

Dolphins face an increasing risk of disturbance from people taking to the sea on boats, jet skis, paddleboards and kayaks as lockdown eases, campaigners have warned.

Dolphins face increasing risk of disturbance from people taking to the sea

George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (right) speaking to Environment Agency staff in Northwich, Cheshire, in the aftermath of Storm Christoph. Photo: PA

Taking flood resilience measures could be rewarded with lower insurance premiums

Prime Minister Boris Johnson at PMQs. Photo: PA

Second Cobra meeting called to co-ordinate emergency response to flooding

Flood water rises up a sign outside a pub in York as Storm Christoph is set to bring widespread flooding, gales and snow to parts of the UK. Photo: PA

Boris Johnson 'warned repeatedly' over Yorkshire flooding risk, Labour says

Flooding in York, Yorkshire, after the River Ouse burst its banks on Monday. Photo: PA

Cobra meeting convened as Yorkshire braces, again, for flooding
A Cobra emergency committee meeting was called this afternoon as flood alerts remained in place across Yorkshire.
Geraldine Scott

Environment Secretary George Eustice. Photo: Getty

Government will pay farmers more than income lost to deliver on 'public good'

This has been a particularly challenging year for North Yorkshire, says council leader Carl Les. Photo: James Hardisty.

Why North Yorkshire will rebuild better – Yorkshire Post Letters

The River Wharfe in Ilkley. A stretch of river is the first in England to secure inland bathing status, a major milestone in a long running campaign over this landmark beauty spot which is used by thousands of visitors to paddle and picnic every year. Pic: Bruce Rollinson

This Yorkshire river is the first in England to be designated 'bathing water'

Kath Smith, whose home was damaged by floodwater back in 2019. Photo: James Hardisty

Couple prepare to spend second Christmas out of flood-hit home

Flooding Minisyer Rebecca Pow during a visit to Worcester earlier this year.

Double standards by key Ministers over flooding response is revealed

Boris Johnson first promised a Yorkshire-wide flooding summit during a visit to Fishlake last November.

Flooding response delay due to virus, say Defra

The scene of devastation at Fishlake last November

These excuses over Yorkshire flooding summit don’t hold water – The Yorkshire Po...

Graeme Bandeira's depiction of Environment Secretary George Eustice in The Yorkshire Post today.

Yorkshire flooding summit; Ministers told ‘water does not respect boundaries’ af...

Boris Johnson took time out from the election campaign last November to meet flooding victims in South Yorkshire. Photo: James Hardisty.

Where’s Boris Johnson over Yorkshire floods summit? – The Yorkshire Post says

Every river in England falls below the minimum standard, according to The Environmental Agency (Photo: Shutterstock)

Every river in England has failed to meet water quality standards - here's what ...

If successful, this section of the River Wharfe would become the first river to be designated as a bathing water

Application to give Yorkshire river 'bathing water status'

Boris Johnson meets rescuers after last year's Don Valley floods.

Boris Johnson must now honour promises to flooding victims, says Yorkshire mayor

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis. Photo: JPI Media

Government pushed to commit to flooding summit date

The collapsed bridge following heavy rainfall on Grinton moors in North Yorkshire last summer. Pic: SWNS

Yorkshire Dales communities get extra £250,000 to aid recovery from 2019 floods

A company has abandoned a campaign to donate sales from sky lanterns to the NHS.

Rural organisation welcomes the grounding of NHS sky lantern campaign

Independent review launched into access to insurance in flood-hit areas

An aerial photo of Fishlake at the height of the floods.

Why Doncaster flood insurance review is so welcome – The Yorkshire Post says

Dredging regularly takes place on canals - but would it lessen the likelihood of rivers flooding?

Dredging won’t stop Yorkshire’s floods, slowing the flow of water could help

A collapsed bridge following heavy rainfall in Grinton Moors, in North Yorkshire, last summer. Credit: SWNS

Devastated North Yorkshire communities won't get new flooding support from Gover...

The village of Fishlake, Doncaster, submerged under flood water. Photo: SWNS

Government criticised over match funding promise for flood-hit South Yorkshire c...

Britain should not wait for the Government to take the lead on the recycling of plastic bottles.

Tom Richmond: Join the plastics fight...before the Government messes it up

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