LABOUR has announced its plans for the water industry if the party comes to power at the next general election, promising to strengthen regulations following the sewage scandal.

They however do not include taking the industry back into public ownership, despite 69 per cent of the public being in favour of a publicly owned water industry according to a latest poll in November.

Labour’s proposals include a clampdown on water industry bosses’ bonuses if their companies are polluting waterways and coasts, criminal liability for polluters, more powers for water regulators, an end to self-monitoring of pollution by water companies, and prevention of water companies’ increasing charges to pay for the costs of pollution.