07/12/2004

Water improvements need to be cost efficient, Goverment told

Government and water industry regulators must think radically to ensure that future water and sewerage improvements can take place without burning a hole in customers' pockets, WaterVoice has said today.

Speaking later today at The Economist's 15th Annual Water Industry Conference in London, Maurice Terry, WaterVoice Chairman, challenged the Government to: introduce an effective package of help for low-income customers, using the tax credits and benefits system, to soften the impact of an average 18% rise in water and sewerage bills to take effect from April 2005; and consider better and more widely acceptable ways of funding environmental improvements, including general taxation and adopting a 'polluter pays' approach.

Mr Terry said: "We have previously urged the Government to act, through the tax credits and benefits system, to help low income customers pay their water and sewerage bills.

“The Government has responded by announcing a completely inadequate package of measures that fails to address the real problems of water affordability. Together with other consumer groups, we will continue to press the Government to face up to its responsibilities on this issue.”

WaterVoice provides an independent voice for all customers of the water and sewerage companies in England and Wales in respect of price, service and value for money; they also investigate complaints from customers about their water company.

(MB)

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