Labour’s new powers for water customers are a ‘stitch-up’, say campaigners

Ministers promised last year to set up new water boards for consumers that would allow them to air complaints. Photograph: Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

Labour’s new powers for customers to hold water companies to account are a “stitch-up”, campaigners have said, as utilities firms have been advising on how to implement it.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is creating what the government referred to as “powerful consumer panels” so the public can question the executives of their local water company and get redress for problems they face from sewage and water companies in England and Wales.