The idea is to create nine new regional bodies responsible for planning, setting objectives and holding water companies to account.

Supporters of the scheme say the bank would enable governments to get cheaper loans to spend on defence projects.

Shabana Mahmood says the policy has been "difficult" to scale up and the numbers involved are still "relatively small".

The government could legislate to force firms to act if there is not a drop in phone thefts, the policing minister says.