Twitter LinkedIn

Press releases

Media enquiries can be sent to media@wcl.org.uk

Press releases are one channel for our members to raise awareness of joint sector issues. The latest press releases can be read here.

For regular news updates from Link, read our e-bulletin and what's new section

Archived press releases can be found by using the search function.


Filter posts:

The public demand Clean Water Now. It’s time the Clean Water Bill delivers

Published on: 13 May 2026

Environmental and health charities back a new report calling for Government to finally ban PFAS forever chemicals in non-essential uses.

Read More...

Cancer-linked chemicals in products from frying pans to school uniforms must be banned

Published on: 23 April 2026

Environmental and health charities back a new report calling for Government to finally ban PFAS forever chemicals in non-essential uses.

Read More...

Penalties are still not big enough to make English waters safe

Published on: 13 April 2026

Today the Environment Agency announces that this financial year water companies have paid £8.5 million in enforcement undertakings, which will be reinvested directly into restoring the rivers, lakes, and seas which were polluted or damaged.

Read More...

From the humblest fungus to the grandest bird of prey – £90m boost for wildlife

Published on: 3 April 2026

Today the Department for Environment will announce £90 million in funding to help safeguard hundreds of species. The money will go towards efforts to support or reintroduce animals such as birds, beavers, beetles, snails, spiders and seahorses across England. This news is heartily welcomed by Wildlife and Countryside Link, the biggest coalition of environmental organisations in England.

Read More...

Thousands of breaches show pollution is business-as-usual

Published on: 30 March 2026

Today the Environment Agency announces that it completed 10,000 health checks on the water network in the last year and uncovered over 3,000 permit condition breaches. Whilst the increased oversight is a step in the right direction, the level of illegal activity it revealed is not. As such, Wildlife and Countryside Link, the biggest environmental coalition in England, has come together with 66 other nature charities to demand Clean Water Now in the upcoming Water Bill.

Read More...

Ending trail hunting is a big step towards a fairer countryside

Published on: 26 March 2026

Today the Government announces plans to ban trail hunting with the opening of a consultation. Trail hunting has long been used as a smokescreen for the illegal hunting of wild animals, and Wildlife and Countryside Link has been calling for it to be banned since the Hunting Act came into force in 2005.

Read More...

Rivers, lakes, and seas should not be pressure valves for pollution

Published on: 26 March 2026

Today, the Government has released data revealing that in 2025 water companies were responsible for an eye-watering 300,000 incidents of untreated sewage being discharged into England’s rivers, lakes and seas. The figures show a 35% decrease compared to the previous year, likely due to the very dry weather conditions of 2025. As such, Wildlife and Countryside Link, the biggest environmental coalition in England, has come together with 66 other nature charities to demand Clean Water Now in the upcoming Water Bill.

Read More...

Ministers are not leaving land use to luck anymore

Published on: 18 March 2026

Today the Government announces the long-expected Land Use Framework, setting out how land across England should be used to balance the demands of food production, nature recovery, development, and climate resilience. It comes at a critical moment, as pressure on land intensifies. The challenge now will be turning ambition into delivery.

Read More...

Wildlife and Countryside Link respond to today’s Fingleton Review announcement

Published on: 13 March 2026

Today, the Government announces its response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review. The Review made highly deregulatory recommendations aimed at speeding up nuclear development, raising serious concerns for environmental protections. In particular, it risked weakening the Habitats Regulations, the cornerstone legislation protecting Britain’s most important wildlife sites and species.

Read More...

Clean Water Now: Environmental groups launch major new campaign ahead of Water Reform Bill

Published on: 26 February 2026

New report urges Government to stop pollution at source, fix the broken water system, and restore nature to England’s rivers, lakes and seas in next generation water reforms.

Read More...

Share this page

Share on Facebook   Tweet this   Share on LinkedIn