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02/12/2004
Water bills increase by 18%
Industry regulator Ofwat has announced a hefty increase in water charges in England and Wales.
Customer bills are set to rise by an average of 18% over the next five years. From April 2005 customer bills will climb by £46 from £246 to £295. Those hardest hit by the increases will be Southern Water, South West Water and Wessex Water users who can expect to pay up to an extra 25% on their current bill over five years.
WaterVoice Chairman, Maurice Terry, said: "This is bad news for the millions of water customers who will find these increases neither affordable nor acceptable. The Government must act immediately to ensure that customers on low and fixed incomes receive effective help to pay their water bills, through the mainstream tax credits and benefits system."
He added that latest figures on debt show £893 million of outstanding revenue from household bills across England and Wales at the end of 2003-04, and further charges could push thousands of people into debt for the first time.
Dr John Ford of WaterVoice Wales criticised the charges and pointed out that the 2005 increase is more than six times the rate of inflation.
Ofwat has said that the increase is needed for essential maintenance of pipes, sewers and treatment works.
The body also said that additional funding is needed for 3,000 schemes to improve rivers and coastal waters and 500 investigations to inform decisions on future and environmental protection.
(mmcg/sp)
Customer bills are set to rise by an average of 18% over the next five years. From April 2005 customer bills will climb by £46 from £246 to £295. Those hardest hit by the increases will be Southern Water, South West Water and Wessex Water users who can expect to pay up to an extra 25% on their current bill over five years.
WaterVoice Chairman, Maurice Terry, said: "This is bad news for the millions of water customers who will find these increases neither affordable nor acceptable. The Government must act immediately to ensure that customers on low and fixed incomes receive effective help to pay their water bills, through the mainstream tax credits and benefits system."
He added that latest figures on debt show £893 million of outstanding revenue from household bills across England and Wales at the end of 2003-04, and further charges could push thousands of people into debt for the first time.
Dr John Ford of WaterVoice Wales criticised the charges and pointed out that the 2005 increase is more than six times the rate of inflation.
Ofwat has said that the increase is needed for essential maintenance of pipes, sewers and treatment works.
The body also said that additional funding is needed for 3,000 schemes to improve rivers and coastal waters and 500 investigations to inform decisions on future and environmental protection.
(mmcg/sp)
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29 August 2003
'Dismay' over proposed increases to water charges
WaterVoice reacted with dismay yesterday to the announcement by the water industry body Water UK that the expected average water bill of £240 in 2004-05 could rise by £15 on top of inflation, every year for the next five years; a total increase of £75 (or 31%).
'Dismay' over proposed increases to water charges
WaterVoice reacted with dismay yesterday to the announcement by the water industry body Water UK that the expected average water bill of £240 in 2004-05 could rise by £15 on top of inflation, every year for the next five years; a total increase of £75 (or 31%).
10 March 2005
Water bills set to rise
Water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by almost 12% from April 1, the water regulator, Ofwat has said. Ofwat said that the increases are necessary in order to reflect the higher costs of delivering water and sewage services, as well as the build-up of costs since the last review in 1999.
Water bills set to rise
Water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by almost 12% from April 1, the water regulator, Ofwat has said. Ofwat said that the increases are necessary in order to reflect the higher costs of delivering water and sewage services, as well as the build-up of costs since the last review in 1999.
20 January 2004
31% rises in water bills may be underestimate: WaterVoice
The huge rises in water bills predicted last year by the industry may have been seriously underestimated, according to the water utility watchdog WaterVoice.
31% rises in water bills may be underestimate: WaterVoice
The huge rises in water bills predicted last year by the industry may have been seriously underestimated, according to the water utility watchdog WaterVoice.
13 September 2013
Ofwat To Challenge Thames Water Increase Request
Water regulator Ofwat has said it will challenge Thames Water's request to increase customer bills by as much as 8% from next year. The increase could see an additional £29 added to an annual average household bill. The regulator has said it will assess Thames's application in order to determine whether the increases are justified.
Ofwat To Challenge Thames Water Increase Request
Water regulator Ofwat has said it will challenge Thames Water's request to increase customer bills by as much as 8% from next year. The increase could see an additional £29 added to an annual average household bill. The regulator has said it will assess Thames's application in order to determine whether the increases are justified.
16 October 2013
Water Regulator Temporarily Block Price Increase
A proposed price increase by Thames Water, who had sought to add an additional £29 to annual household water bills, has been blocked by Ofwat. The water regulator has published a draft decision blocking the proposed price increase.
Water Regulator Temporarily Block Price Increase
A proposed price increase by Thames Water, who had sought to add an additional £29 to annual household water bills, has been blocked by Ofwat. The water regulator has published a draft decision blocking the proposed price increase.
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