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Edna Murphy, chair of the children and young people committee at the authority, said: “While the funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund has come to an end, I’m really pleased that by approving these transitional voucher amounts today we’ve been able to enable a smoother transition for the families affected.”

Calls follow major silt issues last year

There are calls for a long term solution to the major disruption to navigation and waterfront businesses caused by silt at Gloucester Docks.

Around 50,000 cubic metres of silt entered the Docks during 2025 – around ten times the normal annual amount.

Silt ingress is mainly due to the water pumped from the River Severn into The Docks which is then pumped down the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to provide Bristol with half of its drinking water supply.

The severe silt ingress experienced during 2025 prompted a public briefing on the issue attended by dozens of people at Llanthony Secunda Priory on March 5.

The event brought together Canal and River Trust’s leadership, Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre, Gloucester City Council, business groups and waterway stakeholders to discuss the issue and hear about possible ways foward.

The panel heard how the problem has arisen over the years after the introduction of new environmental regulations and changes in dredging practices.

Canal and River Trust bosses also spoke of significant new dredging investment for a recovery dredging programme for Gloucester Docks.

And the trust confirmed that £2.8 million has already been spent on recovery dredging during the current financial year.

And a further £2 million has been allocated for dredging works during the next financial year.

The panel also heard how Gloucester will account for around one third of the trust’s national dredging budget during the recovery period.

Trust bosses acknowledged that future baseline dredging budgets for the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal will need to increase beyond historic levels.

Access to traditional shipbuilding and restoration specialists T. Nielsen and Company’s dry dock and local moorings will be included within the recovery dredging works, alongside the main navigation channel.

The trust also confirmed that operational discussions have begun with Bristol Water to examine how pumping and abstraction operations can be coordinated to reduce the amount of silt entering the docks.

Ben Cottam, Regional Director for Wales and the South West at Canal and River Trust, said the organisation had learned from the events of 2025.

“We recognise the challenges that last year presented and the impact it had locally.” he said.

“We are investing significant resources in the recovery dredging programme and are working with partners, including Bristol Water, to look at how operational changes can reduce silt entering the system in the future.”

Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre warned that relying solely on repeated dredging would not be sustainable.

“We can’t keep throwing money into a leaky bucket,” he said.

“We need to learn the lessons from what happened and make changes so that we’re not simply spending millions every year clearing the same problem.”

He also indicated his support for efforts to secure a better financial return from the canal’s long-standing water abstraction agreement supplying Bristol.

“The price we’re getting from Bristol Water isn’t acceptable. I will be throwing my support behind efforts to ensure we get a fair price so that we can properly maintain the docks and canal.”

City Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) also stressed the importance of maintaining the Docks as an active working waterway.

“We need to make sure that we have a navigable, commercial dock and canal so that boats can continue to come into Gloucester,” he said.

“We don’t want the Docks to become a place where the only things using the water are the seagulls.”

Jay Clements, managing director of English Holiday Cruises Ltd, who organised the event, said: “Gloucester Docks is approaching its 200th anniversary in 2027 and it remains one of the most important heritage and economic assets in the city.

“It was encouraging to hear confirmation of additional dredging investment and recognition that long-term budgets will need to increase.

“The next step is ensuring that this work is delivered on a clear and transparent timeline so that businesses, boaters and investors can have confidence in the future of the docks.”

The trust indicated that future dredging plans are dependent on completion of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) required to permit the use of more efficient dredging techniques.

Stakeholders have asked the Trust to publish a clear timetable for the remaining recovery dredging works once the HRA process is complete.

With preparations already underway for the 200th anniversary of Gloucester Docks in 2027, local businesses, boaters and city stakeholders say restoring reliable navigation remains a priority for them.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

Global markets are navigating a volatile phase as rising oil prices and escalating tensions in West Asia threaten supply chains and corporate earnings. Investors are closely watching developments around energy flows and geopolitical strategy, particularly the security of the critical oil transit route through the Gulf.

In a discussion with ET Now, market expert Anurag Singh outlined what he believes could ultimately determine the trajectory of the conflict and its impact on financial markets.

Focus on Strategic Objectives
Singh suggested that the core objective for the United States and Israel is to weaken Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities while ensuring global energy supply routes remain open.“The endgame is this — the US and Israel have to completely obliterate the capabilities of Iran. The nuclear arsenal has to be completely destroyed… and in the immediate term the Strait of Hormuz has to be open.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world, carrying roughly 20% of global oil supply.Earnings Concerns Already Priced In
According to Singh, equity markets have already started factoring in the risk of weaker corporate earnings, particularly in consumer-linked sectors.
“Consumer discretionary companies have already taken about a 20% correction in anticipation of earnings dropping.”
However, he pointed out that emergency oil reserve releases could buy policymakers some time to stabilize supply.

“Releasing hundreds of millions of barrels of reserves has bought around 20 days. Within these two to three weeks, a solution could emerge.”

The Shipping and Insurance Challenge
Even if military protection is provided to oil tankers, the logistical and insurance hurdles remain a major concern for global trade.

“It is one thing to say ships will be protected, but somebody has to drive the first ship through the Strait. Who will be that brave one?” Singh believes the ultimate measure of success will be the long-term security of the shipping corridor. “Victory will be decided if the Strait of Hormuz can be taken away from Iran’s control for all times.”

Markets Facing Multiple Headwinds
Beyond geopolitics, Singh highlighted that equity markets are already dealing with several structural concerns.

“The median stock in the S&P is down about 17%, and in the Nasdaq around 27%, even though the indices show only a small correction.”

He pointed to three key worries for investors: artificial intelligence disruption in software companies, risks in private credit markets, and inflation pressures.

“There are three sets of worries that the market has to get out of before moving to new highs.”

A Crucial Two Weeks Ahead
Despite the turbulence, Singh said long-term market projections remain constructive if the situation stabilises.

“Projections for the year still point to about 12% earnings growth and the S&P potentially reaching 7,500 if things stay in place.”

For investors, the immediate outlook hinges on how quickly geopolitical tensions ease and whether oil supply routes stabilise.

“These two weeks are super critical. Something has to come out of it, otherwise it could become a long-drawn conflict.”