As water bills are set to rise this week, water companies in England and Wales are facing calls to provide more help to vulnerable customers. Public frustration has grown over increased sewage dumping incidents and higher shareholder dividends, despite rising prices.
Ofwat, the industry regulator, will announce price hikes on Thursday for the next five years. Consumer groups warn that rising bills could push more people into “water poverty,” where households spend over 3% of their income on water.
Mike Keil, CEO of the Consumer Council for Water, urged companies to do more for struggling households. “Their current plans fall short of ending water poverty in England by 2030,” he said, calling on Ofwat to hold them accountable.
Thames Water, the largest provider, is seeking a 59% increase in bills despite facing £16 billion in debt and a 40% rise in pollution incidents. CEO Chris Weston defended large executive bonuses, saying they are necessary to attract top talent.
Ofwat’s draft figures suggest average bills could rise by 21% over the next five years, with regional variations of £94 to £183. According to Citizens Advice, this could push the number of households in water poverty from 2.7 million to 3.4 million by 2029.
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