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28/11/2003
Poorer customers to struggle with water prices, says watchdog
Low income customers across the east of England may struggle to pay their water bills if the proposed price increases get the go-ahead, says the local watchdog.
With the average household bill possibly increasing by £101, plus inflation, for Anglian water customers over the five-year period 2005-10, WaterVoice Eastern says it is "important" that help is at hand for customers who are struggling.
WaterVoice Eastern is now asking water companies to provide information about what assistance is available to those customers who need it.
Water and sewerage companies, including Anglian Water, have sent their draft business plans for the next price review from 2005 to 2010, to economic regulator Ofwat, which will make a decision in November next year.
Water only companies including Essex & Suffolk want to increase average household bills by £38, Tendring Hundred by £6 and Cambridge by £28, plus inflation, over the five-year period 2005-10.
Catherine Harvey, WaterVoice Eastern Chairman, said: "We are concerned for those customers on low or fixed incomes that the proposed price increases may prove to be an unacceptably large percentage of household incomes.
"We are, therefore, recommending that companies make it clear to customers what help they may get."
WaterVoice does, however, support the need for increased spending to maintain the water and sewerage systems.
(gmcg)
With the average household bill possibly increasing by £101, plus inflation, for Anglian water customers over the five-year period 2005-10, WaterVoice Eastern says it is "important" that help is at hand for customers who are struggling.
WaterVoice Eastern is now asking water companies to provide information about what assistance is available to those customers who need it.
Water and sewerage companies, including Anglian Water, have sent their draft business plans for the next price review from 2005 to 2010, to economic regulator Ofwat, which will make a decision in November next year.
Water only companies including Essex & Suffolk want to increase average household bills by £38, Tendring Hundred by £6 and Cambridge by £28, plus inflation, over the five-year period 2005-10.
Catherine Harvey, WaterVoice Eastern Chairman, said: "We are concerned for those customers on low or fixed incomes that the proposed price increases may prove to be an unacceptably large percentage of household incomes.
"We are, therefore, recommending that companies make it clear to customers what help they may get."
WaterVoice does, however, support the need for increased spending to maintain the water and sewerage systems.
(gmcg)
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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%).
07 November 2003
Water price rise proposals 'unacceptable for customers'
WaterVoice has today described companies' proposals for billing as "unacceptable to customers in their current form", and called on water companies, regulators and the government to "think about customers' priorities" in terms of value for money.
Water price rise proposals 'unacceptable for customers'
WaterVoice has today described companies' proposals for billing as "unacceptable to customers in their current form", and called on water companies, regulators and the government to "think about customers' priorities" in terms of value for money.
18 September 2003
Water regulators consider options on bill payments
WaterVoice and Ofwat today published the findings of research which recommends extra charges, more vigorous recovery action or other sanctions as ways to encourage customers to pay their bills.
Water regulators consider options on bill payments
WaterVoice and Ofwat today published the findings of research which recommends extra charges, more vigorous recovery action or other sanctions as ways to encourage customers to pay their bills.
07 June 2004
Authorities urged to slash proposed water bill increases
Government and Ofwat today faced calls to 'turn off the tap' and cut, by at least a third, proposed average water bill rises of £70, or 29.2%, over the next five years.
Authorities urged to slash proposed water bill increases
Government and Ofwat today faced calls to 'turn off the tap' and cut, by at least a third, proposed average water bill rises of £70, or 29.2%, over the next five years.
08 October 2004
Government help needed for poorer water customers
The government has today been urged to make "radical improvements" to the way customers on low and fixed incomes receive help with their water bills.
Government help needed for poorer water customers
The government has today been urged to make "radical improvements" to the way customers on low and fixed incomes receive help with their water bills.
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