Household Bills
Households ‘hung out to dry’ as water bills to rise by 2%
Average household water and sewage bills will rise by 2% or £8 from 1 April, industry body Water UK said today.
Although most companies will increase prices below the rate of inflation, Thames Water, the biggest company, will inflict a 3.4% or £12 bill increase on customers.
The bill changes for 2014/15 will apply until 31 March 2015.
Pamela Taylor, chief executive of Water UK, said: “Water companies are in touch with their customers and have made significant efforts to keep customers’ bills as low as possible.
“At the same time, companies will invest around £5bn in the next 12 months to ensure our drinking water quality will remain amongst the best in the world and our rivers and beaches become even cleaner. This investment also maintains well over 120,000 jobs in the UK and helps support regional economies.”
However, comparison site uSwitch.com said today’s announcement will leave many consumers “floundering” as it comes just weeks after households saw energy bills soar to £1,264 a year.
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Households now face paying £1,657 a year on water, sewerage and energy alone.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “Today’s announcement has left households hung out to dry, adding insult to injury for those who are already struggling to cope with this winter’s energy price hikes.
“With many living hand-to-mouth to survive, this increase in bills could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. And there is no doubt that the higher cost of these essential services will cause sacrifice and hardship for many, potentially adding to the huge number already forced to ration their use of energy.”
Research published last month showed that more than seven in ten households (73%) have gone without heating at some point this winter because of the cost and over a third (36%) said these cutbacks are affecting their quality of life or health.
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