Billpayers in England and Wales tricked into ‘stealth bailout’ of water companies

Work on construction by Southern Water of a new 1km outfall pipe which runs from Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works in Kent out into the North Sea. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The water industry regulator has been accused of overseeing a “stealth bailout of water companies” over proposals to increase bills by up to 44% over the next five years.

Campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (Wasp), which exposed suspected illegal discharges of sewage across England and Wales, has challenged Ofwat, the industry regulator, over the proposed price rises. The final determinations are due to be announced in December.