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| Water bills to rise by £123 a year in April | Water bills to rise by £123 a year in April |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Households in England and Wales will pay £123 more on average on their annual water bills from April, final figures show. | Households in England and Wales will pay £123 more on average on their annual water bills from April, final figures show. |
| The rise - higher than stated last month - will see the average annual bill rise to £603, but there are significant variations between regions. | The rise - higher than stated last month - will see the average annual bill rise to £603, but there are significant variations between regions. |
| Water companies have committed extra money for investment in infrastructure, such as reservoirs, and more help for struggling customers. | Water companies have committed extra money for investment in infrastructure, such as reservoirs, and more help for struggling customers. |
| However, consumer groups are warning the rise means more households will fall into debt. | However, consumer groups are warning the rise means more households will fall into debt. |
| 'Difficult' increase | 'Difficult' increase |
| Regulator Ofwat outlined forecast bill rises in December, which would cover the next five years. | Regulator Ofwat outlined forecast bill rises in December, which would cover the next five years. |
| But the bill rises for the year from April, external, announced by industry body Water UK, are higher than those announced by Ofwat as the calculations now include inflation - so account for rising prices that suppliers face. | But the bill rises for the year from April, external, announced by industry body Water UK, are higher than those announced by Ofwat as the calculations now include inflation - so account for rising prices that suppliers face. |
| The average bill increase equates to around £10 a month, from £40 to £50, but millions of households face even steeper rises. | The average bill increase equates to around £10 a month, from £40 to £50, but millions of households face even steeper rises. |
| Southern Water customers told they will see a 47% increase to £703 a year while Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills are rising by 32%. | Southern Water customers told they will see a 47% increase to £703 a year while Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills are rising by 32%. |
| Thames Water customers have been warned they will see a 31% hike and Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%. | Thames Water customers have been warned they will see a 31% hike and Yorkshire Water is raising bills by 29%. |
| Bournemouth Water customers will also see a 32% increase to their bills. | Bournemouth Water customers will also see a 32% increase to their bills. |
| Other factors, such as whether a customer is metered and how much water they use, means the bill changes will vary considerably for customers depending on their circumstances. | Other factors, such as whether a customer is metered and how much water they use, means the bill changes will vary considerably for customers depending on their circumstances. |
| Bill rises for the next five years are being front-loaded, with a big increase this April so that spending on new infrastructure, such as new reservoirs, can get going. | Bill rises for the next five years are being front-loaded, with a big increase this April so that spending on new infrastructure, such as new reservoirs, can get going. |
| Water UK chief executive David Henderson said: "We understand increasing bills is never welcome and, while we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult." | Water UK chief executive David Henderson said: "We understand increasing bills is never welcome and, while we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult." |
| He added: "We accept we have not been investing enough [in infrastructure], but we don't determine how much we invest – that is set by the regulator every five years." | |
| Water companies say they will also set aside more than £4bn to fund social tariffs - discounted bills for vulnerable people - over the next five years. | Water companies say they will also set aside more than £4bn to fund social tariffs - discounted bills for vulnerable people - over the next five years. |
| But the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents billpayers, said support did not go far enough, as about 2.5 million households were already in debt to their water company. | But the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents billpayers, said support did not go far enough, as about 2.5 million households were already in debt to their water company. |
| "These rises will heap considerable pressure on millions of customers who are already having to make difficult choices," said its chief executive Mike Keil. | "These rises will heap considerable pressure on millions of customers who are already having to make difficult choices," said its chief executive Mike Keil. |
| "Customers want to see investment in improving services and cleaning up our rivers but that can't come at an unbearable cost to struggling households." | "Customers want to see investment in improving services and cleaning up our rivers but that can't come at an unbearable cost to struggling households." |
| The CCW said this was the largest rise in water bills since the privatisation of the water industry 36 years ago. | The CCW said this was the largest rise in water bills since the privatisation of the water industry 36 years ago. |
| David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, said: "We have pushed companies to double the amount of support over the next five-year period and strongly encourage customers who are struggling to pay their water bills to contact their water company to access this. | David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, said: "We have pushed companies to double the amount of support over the next five-year period and strongly encourage customers who are struggling to pay their water bills to contact their water company to access this. |
| "While bills are rising, the £104bn investment we have approved over the next five years will accelerate the delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and help to secure long-term drinking water supplies for customers." | "While bills are rising, the £104bn investment we have approved over the next five years will accelerate the delivery of cleaner rivers and seas and help to secure long-term drinking water supplies for customers." |
| What to do if I can't pay my water bill? | What to do if I can't pay my water bill? |
| Individual water companies offer a range of options to customers who are struggling to pay their bill, including debt support programmes, financial hardship funds or payment breaks. | Individual water companies offer a range of options to customers who are struggling to pay their bill, including debt support programmes, financial hardship funds or payment breaks. |
| Ofwat: Customer assistance, external | Ofwat: Customer assistance, external |
| Consumer Council for Water: Help with bills, external | Consumer Council for Water: Help with bills, external |