Yasmin didn’t expect to find herself sitting across a negotiating table from executives at one of Britain’s biggest water companies. But her growing frustration with her water bills had led her to launch a national campaign.

The 34-year-old single mother from Manchester had endured unexplained charges and a nine-month wait for a water meter. She went to the community union Acorn to propose a campaign that would in time force four major water companies into negotiations. United Utilities eventually apologised for its handling of her case and credited £250 to her account.