Tories accuse Labour of being 'slow to react' as 'severe drought' leaves key reservoir at just 15% capacity

Over 80% of England is now in drought, water minister Emma Hardy told MPs on Friday, with 50 million people affected after the Environment Agency declared severe drought across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. The driest April to September in over a century has left Wimbleball Reservoir — which serves around 300,000 properties — at just 14.9% capacity, against an expected 75% for this time of year. Wessex Water was forced to impose its first hosepipe ban in 50 years as summer demand hit 440 million litres per day. Hardy insisted supplies would remain uninterrupted but urged people to use water wisely in the coming weeks.

Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil blamed South West Water's 'neglect' over decades for failing to build reservoirs the region needed.

Shadow minister Robbie Moore told the Commons the third drought in five years 'should not have caught the Government off guard' and criticised Hardy for ignoring the impact on farmers.

Hardy hit back with 'I can't make it rain' — but pledged nine new major reservoirs as part of what she called a decade-long overhaul of the water system.