theguardian.com
Sewage released into England’s rivers and seas nearly 300,000 times last year
Campaigners criticise frequent use of storm overflows when parts of the country were in drought for months
Raw sewage was discharged into rivers and seas almost 300,000 times last year after the driest spring for more than 100 years and the sunniest and warmest year on record in England.
Water companies released raw sewage into rivers and seas from storm overflows, designed to be used in extreme wet weather conditions, 291,492 times. This was a 35% reduction on record spills in 2024. Average discharges were 20.5 spills for each overflow, compared with 31.8 in the previous year. Continue reading...
![278. That does not mean migration is irrelevant. Young people and migrant workers may compete for some of the same jobs, particularly in lower-paid sectors. Net migration has been historically high over recent years, concentrated in the sectors that serve as primary entry points for young workers: hospitality, social care, food processing, warehousing, agriculture. In hospitality for example, 31% of workers are Migrant workers typically have arrived with prior experience and a willingness to work irregular hours. If an employer has a choice between someone who is 28 with five years of experience and some who is 18 with no work history, the hiring decision can be economically rational.
immigrants and 36% young. [footnote 260]
279. But the relationship between migration and youth employment is not straightforward. The effect depends on how employers recruit, how labour demand adjusts, and whether changes in migration alter the number, quality and conditions of jobs on offer. The current evidence does not support a simple displacement story.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gt5f4xsjqzwdwqsakypbknxm/bafkreifbzkbcv4b7ekpwtsxz6howghqivjzhnlbmcggeiaxfeybemzotm4)
