THOUSANDS of jobs could be created across England after water regulator Ofwat unveiled plans for a multibillion-pound investment to fund a green economic recovery.

New investment projects worth £850 million were announced for the country’s water networks yesterday.

Severn Trent and South West Water between them promised 3,000 jobs, while others are expected to be created by their peers.

The regulator also announced that water companies were bringing forward a further £1.9 billion of investments that had already been planned.

It hopes that freeing up the money early and adding more projects will allow the sector to help fuel a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Projects will include £157m to stop harm caused by networks overflowing during storms, efforts worth £89m to reduce flooding risks and cut pollution and investment in new ways of treating drinking water which use less energy and chemicals.

Ofwat interim chief executive David Black said: “These proposals can be of huge benefit for people and the planet when it is needed most.”

Unison assistant national officer Mary Onafalujo said the funding should be invested in training and recruitment, calling for all new staff to be directly employed to end outsourcing.