payer

The utility also said that “long settled law and precedent prevent water utilities, and their rate payers, from being liable for wildfire losses.”

Where they do exist, different health plans and other payers generally design them differently, which means primary care practices manage multiple payment models, adding to their administrative burden.

The government says that without radical reforms to the benefit system it could cost the tax payer as much as £70bn annually by the end of the decade.

"The bill payer has paid for a service that has never fully been provided, and the illegality demonstrates that for all to see."

Rather than spend tax payers' money on administration and consultancy fees, councils will be able to invest in fixing pavements, dropping kerbs, installing seats, improving bus shelters and making streets safer for all, he added.