A government ban on bonuses for water company executives has been criticised as insufficient by the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh.

The temporary 12-month ban, affecting six water companies including Southern Water, was implemented to drive reform within the industry.

However, MP Liz Jarvis says the measure is a 'missed opportunity' for the serious reform the industry urgently needs.

She cautions that the ban does not go far enough to hold polluting firms accountable or to deter rewarding failure.

MP Jarvis said: "People in Eastleigh are fed up with sewage in rivers and poor service, whilst bills continue to rise and environmental damage worsens.

"The Government has missed an opportunity for real change.

"Liberal Democrats have long called for a ban on bonuses until leaks are fixed and sewage spills end but this ban is too weak - especially when firms can simply hike salaries and get around it."

She further called for the abolition of Ofwat, and the establishment of a new, robust regulatory body to oversee water companies, saying: "It's time to scrap Ofwat and replace it with a tough, independent regulator that holds water companies to account.

"No bonuses for polluting and poor services. No loopholes. No more excuses."

A spokesperson for Southern Water previously said they were awaiting full details on how the announcement would work.

"Any bonuses are paid by shareholders, not customers, and are overseen by an independent committee."