Mayors could be given powers to oversee water companies

Mayors and other local political leaders could be given powers to oversee water companies under plans being considered by the government.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan is to create nine new regional bodies responsible for planning, setting objectives, and holding water companies to account.

The idea, first reported by The Telegraph , external , was a key recommendation of Sir John Cunliffe's Independent Water Commission published in June last year.

Improving the water industry has been a focus for Burnham since he took to power, as water customers in England and Wales continue to face steep bill hikes.

But there has been little detail of what that could look like, short of full nationalisation - until now.

Some ideas in the Cunliffe report were adopted by Sir Keir Starmer's government, however the recommendation for regional bodies was not.

While no final decision has been made, and the timings for any announcement have not been finalised, officials in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs are understood to be keen on the idea.

The regional bodies would be given powers to oversee elements of water companies' spending and hold bosses to account over bills and sewage discharges.