The UK government is considering giving mayors and other local political leaders new powers to oversee water companies, as part of a wider push to bring the utilities sector under greater public control. Under the plans, regional authorities—potentially including local government figures, mayors, independent chairs and other experts—would have some say over water firms' spending decisions and could hold bosses to account over bills and sewage discharges. The move follows growing pressure on Andy Burnham to strengthen oversight of the sector amid rising bills, ageing infrastructure and sewage spills, and echoes a key recommendation from Sir Jon Cunliffe's review of the industry last year.

No firm decisions have been made, but officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are reportedly supportive of the idea. It comes as Thames Water, which serves 16 million customers, remains on the brink of collapse, with assets valued at £23bn and net debt of £18.5bn as of the end of March; ministers are weighing special administration against a creditor-backed rescue that would preserve private ownership. Meanwhile, household complaints about water companies have risen 48% year on year—the steepest increase in two decades—prompting the government to pledge tougher regulation and greater accountability.