Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned
2 months ago

Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The watchdog wrote: “We will consider this additional expenditure request as part of our final determinations.” The latest string of demands come amid public and political outcry over sewage spills in the privatised water industry, while companies’ investors receive dividends and top executives get bonuses. From the Government’s perspective, our priority is making sure that money goes where it’s needed and ensuring that water companies are putting customers first. If money isn’t spent, it will be returned to customers Government spokesman Downing Street said no-one wants to see water bills rising and the Government will work to ensure “money goes where it’s needed”. “From the Government’s perspective, our priority is making sure that money goes where it’s needed and ensuring that water companies are putting customers first.

Water Companies Bills Water Companies Ofwat  bills  ask  situation  ofwat  final  companies  breaking  sign  money  raise  water  planned  customers

History of this topic

Fatcat water firm bosses are accused of fleecing households with eye-watering bill hikes to subsidise the broken industry
3 days, 23 hours ago

Fatcat water firm bosses are accused of fleecing households with eye-watering bill hikes to subsidise the broken industry

Daily Mail  

Fat cat water bosses were last night accused of fleecing households with eye-watering bill hikes to subsidise the broken industry – as they enjoyed bumper bonuses for failure. Mark this day, for it is the day you became angry.’ Singer turned water campaigner Feargal Sharkey said that Ofwat is making people pay 'for decades of criminal activity' Aerial view of …

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?
Trending News
4 days, 12 hours ago

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year
Trending News
4 days, 13 hours ago

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year

Daily Mail  

Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat announced today. Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by a total of £157 or 36 per cent over the next five years – an average £31 a year over that period. The Committee will hold …

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends
4 days, 14 hours ago

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends

Daily Mail  

Thames Water has been handed an £18.2million fine after regulator Ofwat used powers to crack down on firms paying 'unjustified' dividends for the first time. The regulator said Thames Water made interim dividend payouts totalling £37.5million to its holding company, Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited, in October last year and further payouts of about £158.3million in March 2024. The ruling …

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says
Trending News
4 days, 15 hours ago

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April
Top News
4 days, 15 hours ago

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Household water bills in England …

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation
4 days, 16 hours ago

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation

Daily Mail  

Water bosses were today given the green light for huge bill hikes averaging 36 per cent over the next five years. Southern Water customers are being hit hardest with bills going up 53 per cent over the period - and inflation projected to add another 10 per cent. The water firms provide supplies to England and Wales The proposed bill …

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash
1 week, 1 day ago

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households are going to be hit with a hike in water …

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes
1 week, 6 days ago

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Regulator Ofwat revealed in November that Thames Water was …

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses
1 month ago

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Troubled Thames Water is among …

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed
1 month ago

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “We take a rigorous approach to financial discipline …

Two in five households will struggle to afford looming water bill price hikes
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Two in five households will struggle to afford looming water bill price hikes

Daily Mail  

Two in five households will struggle to pay a predicted increase in water bills, the water watchdog has warned. A survey by the Consumer Council for Water found 18 per cent of customers are already struggling to afford water bills. Overflowing: Many households are already struggling and cannot afford further bill increases Of that 40 per cent: 43 per cent …

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage

The Telegraph  

Failing water companies face lighter punishments under a climbdown being prepared by the industry regulator, risking an increase in leakages, water supply interruptions, and pollution. Investors in Britain’s water sector have rounded on the watchdog, claiming its hardline stance risks deterring further foreign investment in the industry at a time when it is crying out for billions of pounds of …

Thames Water: Why does the struggling water firm need emergency funding?
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Thames Water: Why does the struggling water firm need emergency funding?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thames Water has said it …

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike
2 months ago

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies will have to …

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers

The Telegraph  

Water companies have been ordered to return £158m to households as they were rebuked over their poor performance. It comes after water companies’ sewage spills into English rivers and seas more than doubled last year, adding to growing public outrage over the privatised utilities sector. Ofwat chief executive David Black warned that water companies kept blaming “outside causes” rather than …

Water nationalisation comes with more-than £99 billion price tag, minister warns
3 months ago

Water nationalisation comes with more-than £99 billion price tag, minister warns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nationalising water firms would cost …

Starmer plots to raise bills to fund Thames Water bailout
3 months ago

Starmer plots to raise bills to fund Thames Water bailout

The Telegraph  

Sir Keir Starmer is planning to allow water bills across the country to be raised to pay for a Government bailout of Thames Water. New legislation will let the Government charge all water companies the full £10 billion cost if ministers decide to take over the struggling company. Thames Water has more than £15 billion of debt, and said in …

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?

The Independent  

These are only some of the problems facing the water industry – and a row has erupted about how much money will be needed to solve them. Water UK, the industry’s lobby group, is unhappy about Ofwat’s decision to allow average household bills to rise by £94 per household over the next five years. that its draft decision to cut …

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In its response to Ofwat’s draft determination on water companies’ …

Water suppliers brace for £2bn in sewage fines
4 months ago

Water suppliers brace for £2bn in sewage fines

The Telegraph  

Britain’s troubled water sector is facing the threat of £2bn in penalties over the next five years, as regulator Ofwat attempts to crack down on sewage failings. A report by the ratings agency Moody’s has predicted that tougher rules on pollution will spark a flood of regulatory fines, burdening many businesses already struggling to stay afloat. In Moody’s latest assessment …

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report
5 months ago

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report

Daily Mail  

Sewage spills are still rising in the UK with water companies failing to get the crisis under control, the Environment Agency has warned in a damning report The agency said there were 47 serious pollution incidents last year – up from 44 in 2022. Shocking photos from August 2022 showed how Lake Windermere in the Lake District turned bright green …

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways
5 months ago

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways

Daily Mail  

Every single river in England is polluted, the new Environment Secretary claimed today as he backed new 'severe fines' for water companies. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last week revealed all 11 water firms in England and Wales are under scrutiny as part of a major investigation into sewage pollution in rivers. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last …

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies
5 months ago

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government is bringing in …

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?
5 months, 1 week ago

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?

Daily Mail  

In 2023, there 3.6 million hours of sewage spills in England's rivers and seas Customers have been left outraged after water bill hikes were revealed today with prices set to soar by £94 in five years. Regulator Ofwat has allowed firms to increase bills by 21 per cent, amid public outrage over polluted water ways and 3.6 million hours worth …

Starmer vows to make underperforming water bosses ‘personally responsible’
5 months, 1 week ago

Starmer vows to make underperforming water bosses ‘personally responsible’

The Telegraph  

It emerged on Thursday that Britain’s biggest water company, which serves 16 million customers in London and the south east, will face more intrusive oversight from Ofwat after being put into special measures. Chris Walters, an Ofwat director said: “It is difficult for us to stand behind a plan that a board can’t stand behind.” As part of its announcement …

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims
7 months ago

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Shareholders in some of the UK’s largest water companies have …

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?
7 months ago

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?

Daily Mail  

Britain's greatest beauty spots and most stunning waterways are being continually polluted by water companies who say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade the network to prevent leakage in half of all cases, MailOnline can reveal. Data analysis by MailOnline shows water firms decided there was 'no cost beneficial solution' to prevent 280 discharge sites in England that, due …

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills
8 months ago

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Thames Water, which is battling to survive amid a funding …

Fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 percent as troubled water company admits it needs £1.1billion more than it thought to fix sewage spills and leaks
8 months ago

Fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 percent as troubled water company admits it needs £1.1billion more than it thought to fix sewage spills and leaks

Daily Mail  

There are fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 per cent as the troubled water company unveiled new plans to boost spending. The utility giant - Britain's biggest water firm, with 16 million customers in London and the Thames Valley region - said its new business plan for the five years to 2030 would see spending rise …

Thames Water seeks 45pc bill rise as it piles pressure on Ofwat
8 months ago

Thames Water seeks 45pc bill rise as it piles pressure on Ofwat

The Telegraph  

It emerged on Monday that feared US hedge fund Elliott, owner of Waterstones, has been buying up debt in Thames Water in a bid to profit from its recent turmoil, the Financial Times reported. The need for increased revenues at Thames Water has been made increasingly acute after shareholders, such as China’s sovereign wealth fund, cut off funding last month. …

Raising bills to pay for Thames Water failures ‘utterly outrageous’, says Hunt
8 months, 1 week ago

Raising bills to pay for Thames Water failures ‘utterly outrageous’, says Hunt

The Telegraph  

Jeremy Hunt has said that it would be “utterly outrageous” for Ofwat to grant Thames Water’s demands for higher household bills as it faces potential insolvency. The Chancellor said shareholders in the embattled utility company had “an obligation to sort out the mess”, when asked whether they had a duty to inject more cash into the business. Speaking at a …

Welsh Water to pay out almost £40m after misleading over poor performance
9 months, 1 week ago

Welsh Water to pay out almost £40m after misleading over poor performance

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Welsh Water has been ordered …

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers
1 year, 2 months ago

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers

The Telegraph  

In the coming weeks, water company executives will face questions from the public in a fresh series of “your water, your say” meetings. At previous sessions this year, conducted via video conference, bosses from Thames Water, South West Water, United Utilities and others were asked to explain their poor record tackling leaks and river pollution. Under plans to clean up …

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis
1 year, 2 months ago

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis

The Telegraph  

Household water bills will rise more than £150 a year as the industry brings in major new investment to fix the sewage crisis. “Water companies are seeking regulatory approval to reduce overflow spills into rivers and seas as fast as possible and to doubling the number of households receiving support to pay their bills. Approving the plans is necessary so …

Government has shown lack of leadership in regulating water industry, peers say
1 year, 3 months ago

Government has shown lack of leadership in regulating water industry, peers say

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government has shown a “lack of leadership and deep-rooted complacency” in regulating the water …

Great British water crisis: From Thatcher’s pipe dream to busted flush
1 year, 5 months ago

Great British water crisis: From Thatcher’s pipe dream to busted flush

The Independent  

Back in the late 1980s, Mrs Thatcher was in her pomp. Michael Howard, the minister in charge of flogging water, pledged the companies would be embarking upon “the biggest programme of sustained investment in their history”. Currently, my eldest son lives in Whitstable, in Kent, and he can’t swim in the sea – part of his reason for living there …

Thames Water crisis explained as utility giant serving 15m people faces collapse
1 year, 5 months ago

Thames Water crisis explained as utility giant serving 15m people faces collapse

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He told Sky News: “Absolutely nothing is going to happen …

Water firms given go-ahead for £2.2bn of upgrades
1 year, 5 months ago

Water firms given go-ahead for £2.2bn of upgrades

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies will be allowed …

Southern Water ‘considering bill rises of 73%’
1 year, 6 months ago

Southern Water ‘considering bill rises of 73%’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Southern Water is proposing to …

People refusing to pay wastewater bills over anger at sewage pollution
1 year, 6 months ago

People refusing to pay wastewater bills over anger at sewage pollution

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “You’re trying to charge me for something I’m not getting and I will not pay that until you stop …

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase
1 year, 7 months ago

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anglian Water customers could face an increase on their bills of £91 a year – …

Labour brands Government’s water company measures ‘flimsy’
1 year, 8 months ago

Labour brands Government’s water company measures ‘flimsy’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour has dismissed Government plans that could see water companies facing unlimited fines and penalties …

New government plan to stop sewage spills branded ‘joke’ and ‘licence to pollute’
2 years, 3 months ago

New government plan to stop sewage spills branded ‘joke’ and ‘licence to pollute’

The Independent  

The Tory government’s new plan to tackle Britain’s sewage spill crisis with targets for water companies to make improvements by 2035 has been branded a “cruel joke” and a “licence to pollute”. The government claimed to be introducing the “strictest targets ever”, but Labour branded the plan weak and said it would not stop water companies treating Britain’s beaches and …

Water company faults should be the exception – not the norm
2 years, 4 months ago

Water company faults should be the exception – not the norm

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Since I …

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods
2 years, 4 months ago

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “No amount of financial penalties can undo the damage caused by wastewater companies polluting the environment or ease the …

Thames Water taps investors for cash as it boosts overhaul plans
2 years, 5 months ago

Thames Water taps investors for cash as it boosts overhaul plans

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thames Water is making a …

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers
2 years, 8 months ago

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers

Daily Mail  

Households will have to pay an extra £60 a year on water bills to pay to fix Britain’s creaking Victorian sewage system – despite water company bosses pocketing millions each year. Water companies dumped sewage more than 370,000 times into rivers last year for a duration of a staggering 2.6million hours. Today, we are setting specific targets to ensure that …

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