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Clarkson drops a clanger
Drought talk for 2012 A drought in the UK next summer is almost inevitable because rainfall in some parts of the country has been so low, the Government has warned.
The BBC has apologised after Jeremy Clarkson said he would like to see striking public sector workers “shot” in front of their families. The Top Gear presenter made his comments on BBC’s The One Show following Britain’s biggest public sector strikes in 30 years. He said of the strikers: “I’d have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families.
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“I mean, how dare they go on strike when they’ve got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living.” Clarkson’s comments caused an immediate uproar on Twitter, with hundreds joining the backlash. Chat show host Piers Morgan tweeted: “Clarkson can abuse - and hit (weakly..) - me all he likes. But what he said about the strikers just proves he’s a nasty little twerp.”
Author Tony Parsons tweeted: “Jeremy Clarkson has misjudged the moment. Criticising striking public sector workers today is like sieg-heiling at Last Night of the Proms.” KateakaMrsO tweeted: “First time I have ever complained about a programme, as I usually think people can use off button but Jeremy Clarkson a disgrace.” A BBC spokesman said The One Show made an on-air apology at the end of the
programme to “viewers who may have been offended by Jeremy Clarkson’s comments”. Jon Trickett, Labour’s shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “No one wants these strikes but most of today’s strikers are mums, not militants. “Clarkson should apologise. And the Prime Minister should make clear he disassociates himself from the distasteful remarks uttered by one of his friends.”
The Environment Department has said a huge swathe of south, central and eastern England is at high risk of severe water shortages if there is a drier than average winter. The area has suffered the driest year since records began, with just 70% of the long-term average rainfall. Reservoirs and groundwater reserves are well below normal levels, and South East Water has applied for a drought order to increase the amount it takes from rivers. We have to think ahead and take action now to deal with the situation before it gets any worse. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said only several months of sustained rainfall can alleviate the shortage. She said: “Everyone has worked hard to stave off any threat of hosepipe bans this year and help keep our rivers flowing. “Unfortunately if we have another dry winter, there is a high risk parts of the country will almost certainly be in drought next summer so it’s vital we plan ahead to meet this challenge.” Weather forecasters say
a ridge of high pressure has pushed the normal autumn storms away from the southern half of England. There is little sign of any significant rain for at least the next 10 days. In East Sussex, Ardingly Reservoir is just 12% full. If the dry spell continues, there is only enough water left to supply homes for another two months. It has asked for a permit to increase the amount of water it extracts from the River Ouse over the next six months. David Shore, South East Water operations director, told Sky News: “We are starting to think now about the possibility of restrictions on use next summer if we don’t get a good amount of rainfall in what remains of the winter. “We have to think ahead and take action now to deal with the situation before it gets any worse.” Anglian Water has been issued with a drought permit to refill two of its reservoirs from rivers, and Severn Trent will have to apply for a permit to top up Tittesworth Reservoir if levels not rise naturally by the spring. The Environment Agency has urged farmers to plan ahead for irrigation needs this spring and warned water companies to step up leak detection. It also says households should use water sparingly.
2 December - 8 December 2011