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.

The party’s analysis showed that water bosses have pocketed over £25 million since the last general election in 2019, despite huge increases in pollution levels.

Nine water chief executives have been paid a staggering £10 million in bonuses, £14m in incentives and £603,580 in benefits since 2019.

At the same time, water companies plan to hike customers’ bills by an extra £156 a year to plug a financial gap.

Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: “This Conservative government has wilfully turned a blind eye to corruption at the heart of the water industry.

“The result is stinking, toxic sewage destroying our countryside and consumers facing higher bills while failing water bosses pocket millions in bonuses.”

The Labour frontbencher said the party will put failing water companies under special measures.

He said: “We will strengthen regulation so law-breaking water bosses face criminal charges and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth.

“With Labour, the polluter — not the public — will pay.”