Water bills in the UK will increase by £123, impacting vulnerable households significantly
London: Families are worried about a £123 hike in water bills starting April 1. Campaigners say many won’t manage this increase.
Water UK will confirm this rise soon. The average bill will jump from £480 to £603.
Mike Keil from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) says this is the biggest rise since privatization. Many customers are already struggling to make ends meet.
He adds that while people want better services and cleaner rivers, it shouldn’t come at such a high cost.
About 2.5 million households are already in debt to their water companies. This number could rise if companies don’t offer better financial support.
Keil calls for a single social tariff scheme to help those in need across England and Wales.
Some companies will see even bigger increases. Anglian Water customers face a 19% rise, while Southern Water customers face a 47% increase.
Other companies like South West Water and United Utilities will also raise their bills by 32%.
Interestingly, United Utilities and South West Water’s parent company will increase dividend payouts to shareholders this year.
Water firms claim they will help over three million households with a support package worth £4.1 billion over the next five years.
Customers struggling to pay can access various support options, including payment breaks and debt forgiveness.
If you’re worried about your bills, it’s best to contact your water company for help.
David Henderson, Water UK Chief Executive, acknowledges that rising bills are tough for many. He emphasizes the need for investment in water and sewage infrastructure.
He assures that water companies will provide £4.1 billion in financial support over the next five years.
Additionally, they plan to invest a record £20 billion in 2025-26 to boost economic growth and improve water quality.
Public anger is growing over pollution in the nation’s waterways. Sewage spills into England’s lakes, rivers, and seas more than doubled in 2023.
The Environment Agency reports 3.6 million hours of spills, up from 1.75 million hours in 2022.
