Millions face inflation-busting rise in water bills as charges set to break £500 barrier
The hikes will mean some average annual charges are likely to exceed £500 for the first time. Ofwat will set water and sewerage bills for England and Wales on Friday, with new prices taking effect from April.
The average annual charge across the 10 major companies are expected to jump by £20 from £364 to £384.
The increases come on top of recent surges in gas and electricity bills as well as the cost of food and drink, and at a time when many household incomes are stagnating as a result of wage freezes.
South West Water bills – already the highest – are likely to see the biggest increase, from an average of £487 to an £527, while Northumbrian Water bills are expected to rise by 8.5 per cent, adding an £27 to the average bill of £311.
The sharp rises are driven by high inflation. Ofwat set five-year limits to price increases in 2009, but these allow for annual April increases based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate the preceding November.
Source: Millions face inflation-busting rise in water bills as charges set to break £500 barrier - Telegraph
FFS, are water bills even on inflation calculation?
The hikes will mean some average annual charges are likely to exceed £500 for the first time. Ofwat will set water and sewerage bills for England and Wales on Friday, with new prices taking effect from April.
The average annual charge across the 10 major companies are expected to jump by £20 from £364 to £384.
The increases come on top of recent surges in gas and electricity bills as well as the cost of food and drink, and at a time when many household incomes are stagnating as a result of wage freezes.
South West Water bills – already the highest – are likely to see the biggest increase, from an average of £487 to an £527, while Northumbrian Water bills are expected to rise by 8.5 per cent, adding an £27 to the average bill of £311.
The sharp rises are driven by high inflation. Ofwat set five-year limits to price increases in 2009, but these allow for annual April increases based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate the preceding November.
Source: Millions face inflation-busting rise in water bills as charges set to break £500 barrier - Telegraph
FFS, are water bills even on inflation calculation?
