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From April onwards, water bills across England and Wales are set to increase by an average of £2.70 per month, following significant hikes in many areas just last year. This change will push the average annual household bill up by £33, reaching £639. The rise has sparked demands for stronger measures to assist those struggling to afford their water costs.
The extent of these increases varies considerably depending on the region and supplier. For example, while some companies have been granted permission to implement substantial hikes to fund long-overdue improvements and address widespread public concerns about pollution incidents, others have raised prices more moderately. One notable increase came from a water-only supplier, which raised prices by as much as 13%. This disparity reflects the different pricing policies and investment needs across the sector.
Water UK, the industry’s trade association, justified the price rises by emphasizing the urgent need for investment. The organization explained that companies intend to inject around £20 billion into infrastructure upgrades over the coming year to ensure reliable water supplies, support economic growth, and eliminate sewage discharges into natural water bodies. David Henderson, Water UK’s chief executive, acknowledged the financial burden this could place on customers but highlighted that about 2.5 million households would benefit from social tariffs and other support mechanisms aimed at affordability.
Nevertheless, the Consumer Council for Water expressed concerns about inconsistencies in how social tariff schemes are applied, warning that support often depends more on a person’s location than their actual financial need. Mike Keil, the council’s chief executive, called for a “stronger safety net” for those unable to manage the bill increases. Meanwhile, the water regulator Ofwat pledged to oversee the sector closely, promising to hold companies accountable and require refunds to customers if firms fail to meet their commitments
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