Freddie Van Mierlo, who represents Henley and Thame, has urged the company to prioritise fixing leaking infrastructure, which reportedly loses 2.87 billion litres of water daily.

This comes after the Environment Agency declared the Thames Valley area in drought.

The responsibility of maintaining water resources during a drought lies with water companies.

Thames Water has already implemented a hosepipe ban in the area since July 22, 2026.

Chris Weston, speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast, stated that some of the firm’s targets were beyond what they could achieve.

He said: “We have to hit a certain level of leakage, but it is so far in excess of what we are capable of doing, I think anyone would be capable of doing, however much money you invested, that it is not going to be achievable.”

Thames Water, the largest water company in the UK, has been under fire recently for its handling of sewage discharges and leaks.

Last year, it was fined a record £122.7 million by regulator Ofwat, largely for breaching sewage spill rules.

However, Mr Van Mierlo argues that a network-wide hosepipe ban would save around 577 million litres a day.

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Mr Weston defended the company’s pay levels, as his pay rose by 14% to £1.163 million in the year to March, while other directors received bonuses totalling £4.1 million. (Image: Thames Water)

He said: “So, although measures such as hosepipe bans are required during drought, it seems fixing leaking infrastructure would be a significantly more effective use of time.

“In your most recent interview with the BBC, you commented that targets to fix leakages are ‘unrealistic’, this is incredible insensitive considering we are experiencing a 1-in-500-year drought event.

“After reviewing the company’s existing drought plans, I am further concerned that the actions outlined in the early stages of drought are limited to awareness campaigns to reduce water use and hosepipe bans.

“Nowhere, even when drought progresses to severe, is there mention of emergency repairs to leaks in the system.”

He added that constituents have been contacting him daily about leaks due to Thames Water infrastructure and the lack of action following their reports.

He said: “Not only do these leaks damage property, but now in a time of drought, Thames Water are washing away an essential resource.”

Water bottle supply station after water was lost due to a leak in Oxfordshire (Image: Gee Harland)

The company, serving 16 million customers in London and parts of southern England, treats 4.3 billion litres of waste daily.

Mr Weston mentioned that “99.5 per cent of the time” the waste is treated successfully, although “sometimes something goes wrong”.

He added that while the company wants to improve on pollution, the chance of getting to zero pollution was “very, very slim”.

Fraser Jones, the director of Barefoot Oxford, has made clear that all its shops are staying open and there will be no job losses, as the company ‘streamlines’.

This process has seen Barefoot Oxford Limited go into liquidation with liquidators from JT Maxwell Ltd appointed on July 29. A resolution to wind up the company was passed on the same day.

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Fraser Jones, director of Barefoot Oxford, said: “Simply a reorganisation and no changes to the business at all.  

“All shops staying open and no job losses. 

“We are streamlining to the one company name of Barefoot Bakery, how we are best known.”

The business has three branches across Oxford in North Parade Avenue, Walton Street and Cowley Road and one in Kidlington.

Barefoot Bakery

It describes itself as a “small artisan bakery”.

It added: “We started out making cakes from our kitchen at home and selling them on a market stall in Oxford.

“Since then, the business has grown from strength to strength.”

Indeed, in June this year, cast of the smash hit romantic musical Waitress visited the business’ Jericho branch to publicise their performances at the New Theatre in Oxford.

It coincided with the 12th anniversary of the shop, run by Mr Jones and wife Emily.

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Barefoot Oxford – the company going under which Mr Jones is director of – reported creditors falling within a year of £375,000 in its latest accounts to March 31, 2025.

Its average number of employees was 33.

Meanwhile Barefoot Bakery Ltd – which Mr Jones is also a director of – reported creditors of £79,000 falling within a year and five employees.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is also telling Home Bargains customers to keep the recalled product “out of reach of young children”.

The Toy Story themed water bottle, sold at Home Bargains stores in the UK, is being recalled because of a potential choking risk.

The TJ Morris Toy Story Water Bottle has been sold by Home Bargains since May 2026.

(Image: MARIE WURM/Getty)

The OPSS warns: “The product presents a choking hazard because the spout can detach from the lid, creating a small part.

“If this occurs during use, the spout may block a child’s airway and cause them to choke.

“The product does not meet the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

“We recommend that you stop using the product immediately and keep it out of reach of young children. Return it to your nearest Home Bargains for a refund.”

These are the batch codes affected by the water bottle recall: 11449732, 11449736, 11449737, 11449738, 11449742, 11449743, 11449744

A Home Bargains spokesman added: “Check if you have bought the affected batch codes. Only these codes are affected. The information can be found on the swing tag on the product packaging and the care label inside the bottle.

“If you are unsure if your bottle is impacted or no longer have the packaging, return to store for a full refund.

“To obtain a full refund or if you require further information, return it to your local Home Bargains store. For more information contact support@home.bargains.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Home Bargains Crisp recall

Crisps sold at Home Bargains have been recalled, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warning shoppers of a potential health risk.

ASR Solutions Ltd has recalled the Lays Sour Cream & Dill Crisps sold in Home Bargains stores in the UK, because of a labelling error.

The crisps contain milk and wheat (gluten) which are not mentioned on the label, meaning they are a “possible health risk” to anyone with an allergy or intolerance to the ingredients.

The affected products come in 125g packets and have best before dates up to and including October 31.

Friday 31 July 2026 – ASR Solutions Ltd recalls Lay’s Sour Cream & Dill Crisps #FoodAllergy https://t.co/sx7VuhfXwi pic.twitter.com/Su9jxthEaG

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) July 31, 2026

An FSA spokesman warned: “ASR Solutions Ltd is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall.

“The company has also issued a recall notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

“If you have bought this product, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from which you bought the product for a full refund or contact  support@home.bargains  if you require further information.”

A Home Bargains statement added: “If you have bought Lays Sour Cream & Dill Crisps as detailed above and you have an allergy, intolerance or sensitivity to milk or wheat, do not consume it.

“Check if you have bought the affected best before dates. Only these codes are affected.

“Return any affected product to your local Home Bargains store for a full refund or contact support@home.bargains if you require information.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”