内容摘要：The voters were less keen than New Labour - just 34% turned out to vote, but the majority was clear nonetheless: 72% in favour.

The voters were less keen than New Labour - just 34% turned out to vote, but the majority was clear nonetheless: 72% in favour.

The hike will allow United Utilities to raise £12.7bn through bills from households and its 200,00 business customers over five years.That will fund what has been described as "the largest investment" in water infrastructure since water companies were privatised in 1989.

Under this plan, £2.5bn of the cash will go on cutting the times raw sewage is discharged into rivers and waterways in the area by 30 per cent.Other improvements required in targets set by Ofwat include reducing the number of leaks, installing more smart meters, and doing more to limit water main bursts.Mr Vinson said people want to see "real progress and real results", adding it was important water firms "deliver on their promises".

"You can't change water company, you're tied in based on where you live," said James Walker from Citizens Advice Manchester.But he said customers can limit the water consumption to reduce bills.

He continued: "For example, they recommend these days that you have a shower of no longer than four minutes, it's also the same with things like filling up the kettle, do you need to fill it up to the top?"

On its website, United Utilities advises getting a water meter, checking for leaks in your house as well as saving water used on garden chores as ways to cut down.MrBeast, dubbed the King of YouTube, is the most-subscribed to person on the platform, with 395 million followers. His Mayan pyramids video was published on 10 May.

Many of the UK's rivers have hit exceptionally low levels and that could worsen in the next three months, according to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), raising questions over supplies to households, farmers and businesses.The warning comes after the driest spring in England since 1961, with northern regions experiencing the driest start to the year in nearly a century.

Almost all of the UK is expected to have below normal or low river levels in May, apart from the south-west of England and southern Wales.The Environment Agency has said that the UK is at medium risk of drought and warned households of the risk of water restrictions.