A Third of England Has No Water Left for New Homes, Threatening Labour's 1.5 Million Housing Pledge

Environment Agency data shows roughly a third of England has no additional river water available for new homes or industry even under normal conditions. With half of England now in drought for a second straight year, councils in water-stressed regions targeted for growth say water limits may cap Labour's 1.5 million home pledge. As Basingstoke's council leader put it: "We cannot magic up more water."