The new water regulator must have teeth and be able to hold companies to account, GMB Union has said.
Ministers are set to unveil a series of reforms in Parliament as they move ahead with a major regulatory shake-up that will see Ofwat abolished and the current system of overlapping oversight by four different bodies merged into a single regulator.
Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said: “Thousands of customers across the South East have been left without water, leaving staff to pick up the pieces and help customers out.
“Meanwhile the top brass trouser big bonuses for presiding over the whole mess.
“We’ve seen it all before, but it has to change. The Government has to give its new regulator the teeth to inspect, talk to workers, and to hold water companies to account.
“If private companies refuse to invest the money they’ve received through record bill rises – and circumvent bonus legislation – then they’re not fit to be running water infrastructure.
“There must be fundamental change after years of neglect.”
