I have initiated a letter to the CEO of Ofwat with a cross-party group of nearly 40 MPs, calling on the water regulator not to allow companies to increase customers’ bills. For example, Anglian Water wants to raise its prices by 29%.

Customers must not be asked to pay more until performance improves.

When it comes to water, the public versus private argument has been decided by the public. The era of price-gouging, sewage spewing, rip-off water companies paying huge dividends to themselves and failing to invest, must now end.

With the very real prospect of climate change-related floods and droughts set to dramatically increase, we need this critical resource run as efficiently as possible. That means prioritising public need over private greed and it starts by capping this latest excessive price rise.