UK must label showers and toilets to cut water usage, experts say

Britons consume among the most water in Europe and drought planners want efficiency data on show

Australian-style water labelling must be introduced at pace to reduce the UK's daily consumption of water, which is among the highest in Europe, according to experts drawing up plans to tackle drought.

Billions of pounds more are likely to be added to customer water bills to pay for investment in new infrastructure if ministers do not act soon, according to specialists drawing up plans to tackle acute water shortages in south-east England.