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A new survey has warned that water bills in England and Wales are set to increase dramatically, leaving millions of households in financial difficulty. The regulator Ofwat has confirmed that the average water bill will rise by 21%, or £19 annually, from 2025 to 2030. However, in a survey carried out by the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), 18% of households revealed that they already have difficulties paying their water bills, while 40% admitted to struggling with the proposed price hikes. Water companies have responded by claiming that they will increase support to struggling households, particularly vulnerable customers.
The survey from the CCW polled 9,500 households, across 19 water company areas, about the impact of the proposed price increases on household finances. Of those surveyed, 40% believed they would struggle to afford the price increases. Fifty-four percent confessed that they would have to reduce spending on non-essentials, while 43% would seek to conserve water in order to pay their water bill. Meanwhile, 38% claimed that they would have to limit their spending on essential items such as food. Although 75% of households surveyed supported water companies’ plans for investment, this number fell to 58% when they were reminded of the bill rises.
Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the CCW, has warned that these bill increases could push millions of households towards financial ruin. He has also called for a single social tariff to be implemented across England and Wales, to ensure consistent support is available to vulnerable households. Keil added that although customers want investment, they also need to see evidence that their money is being used effectively to repair trust in water companies.
Despite these warnings, in July, Ofwat declared that the rise in water bills, to fund essential improvements to water and sewage systems, is necessary. Ofwat disclosed that its decision is based on proposals submitted by water companies. Southern Water was authorized to raise bills up to 44%, while Northumbrian Water’s bills will rise by 11%. These are just provisional increases, and Ofwat is yet to finalize these figures, with a decision due in December 2022
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