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Ovo Energy has become the first supplier to launch a dedicated app for the Apple Watch. The app is part of the supplier's existing MyOvo online dashboard and gives Apple Watch customers the ability to give meter readings through voice recognition and at-a-glance estimates of how much they've spent since their last bill. UTILITY WEEK | 7TH - 13TH AUGUST 2015 | 5 $50/bbl The price of a barrel of Brent crude fell to six-month lows on 3 August National Audit Office reveals why Decc spent more in 2013/14 ➟ Sir Brian Bender Water UK has named the former Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) permanent secretary as its new independent chairman. Sir Brian Bender will replace Thames Water chief executive Martin Baggs, who has been in post as interim chairman since May 2014 following the death of Sir David Rowlands. One of Bender's first jobs will be to help the Water UK board to identify a new chief executive to replace Pamela Taylor, who is due to step down at the end of the year. On his appointment, Bender said: "I am struck by the drive and ambition of Water UK and honoured to become its independent chair." Liv Garfield Severn Trent chief executive Liv Garfield has been named as one of 19 people on the prime minis- ter's Business Advisory Group. Garfield will join other high- profile business leaders in the group, which will meet on a quarterly basis with David Cameron to give him high-level advice on industry concerns about policy and economic issues. The other new members include BP chief executive Bob Dudley, Easyjet chief executive Carolyn McCall, EY chairman Steve Varley, Asda chief executive Andy Clarke, and Rolls-Royce chief executive Warren East. Lynne Featherstone The Liberal Democrats have named former MP Lynne Featherstone as their energy and climate change spokesperson. Featherstone was one of 49 Lib Dem MPs to lose their seat in May's general election after she was defeated in her Hornsey and Wood Green constituency by Labour's Catherine West. Under the coalition government she served as a junior minister in the Home Office and the Department for International Development. Prior to entering the House of Commons in 2005, she spent five years as a member of the London Assembly. Party leader Tim Farron has also named Baroness Parminter as the party's environment and rural affairs spokesperson. IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK FOR… "Greyest government ever" Greenpeace executive director John Sauven on the government's decision to cut support for the cheapest renewable energy sources, onshore wind and solar 720 The number of staff cut by Tata Steel as a result of "crippling" electricity costs The National Audit Office has revealed the expenditure and income for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) for 2013/14. Spending increased in 2013/14 from 2011/12 because of nuclear decommissioning, the Green Deal, the government's Energy Discount Scheme and assistance to developing countries in facing global warming. As a result, spending limits for 2014/15 and 2015/16 have been increased. The department's budget was cut by 2 per cent, or £70 million, in July as part of the government's plan to cut Whitehall expenditure. Including grants to associated bodies Including depreciation and movements in provisions Overseas Development Assistance and international subscriptions Including spend on energy efficiency, renewables, innovation and R&D Gross expenditure 2013/14 Income 2013/14 Source: National Audit Office NDA £3,314m Programme delivery £405m International expenditure £382m Non-cash costs £185m Admin costs £163m Other licence fee and tax revenues collected and paid directly to the Consolidate Fund: £1,107m • Sales of carbon allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System £369m • Sales of carbon allowances under the Carbon Reduction Commitment £671m • Petroleum licence fees £65m NDA income: £1,085m from fuel reprocessing and sales of electricity generated. This reduced NDA's net funding requirement to £2,229m Mineworkers Pension Schemes: £700m A one-off repayment of surplus following a revaluation of assets and commitments Department of Energy and Climate Change £4,449m