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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Household water bills up by 3.5% | Household water bills up by 3.5% |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales is to rise by 3.5% over the next year, regulator Ofwat has said. | The average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales is to rise by 3.5% over the next year, regulator Ofwat has said. |
| Households will pay an average of £388 from April 2013 to March 2014. | Households will pay an average of £388 from April 2013 to March 2014. |
| Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn said that she understood that households were facing financial pressures. | Ofwat chief executive Regina Finn said that she understood that households were facing financial pressures. |
| But she said that the increase, half a percentage point higher than the rate of inflation, was not as high as the water companies had wanted. | But she said that the increase, half a percentage point higher than the rate of inflation, was not as high as the water companies had wanted. |
| "Back in 2009, companies wanted bills rises of 10% above inflation. That didn't chime with what customers told us they wanted, so we said they could only increase bills in line with inflation," Ms Finn said. | "Back in 2009, companies wanted bills rises of 10% above inflation. That didn't chime with what customers told us they wanted, so we said they could only increase bills in line with inflation," Ms Finn said. |
| "We understand that there is huge pressure on household incomes, and any rise is unwelcome. Inflation is driving these increases." | "We understand that there is huge pressure on household incomes, and any rise is unwelcome. Inflation is driving these increases." |
| "We will make sure customers get value for money and if companies fall short in delivering their investment promises, we will take action." | "We will make sure customers get value for money and if companies fall short in delivering their investment promises, we will take action." |
| Regional differences | Regional differences |
| The new charges will vary for households depending on their supplier and whether they have a water meter. | |
| On average, households will see their water bill rise by about £13 for the year from April. | On average, households will see their water bill rise by about £13 for the year from April. |
| Thames Water will see the biggest percentage rise in water and sewerage bills with an increase of 5.5%, leaving households with an average bill of £354, according to Ofwat. | Thames Water will see the biggest percentage rise in water and sewerage bills with an increase of 5.5%, leaving households with an average bill of £354, according to Ofwat. |
| Other customers to see larger than average rises include those of Southern Water, with bills rising by 5.3% with an average payment of £449. Households supplied by Wessex Water will face an average bill of £478 - an increase of 4.9%. | Other customers to see larger than average rises include those of Southern Water, with bills rising by 5.3% with an average payment of £449. Households supplied by Wessex Water will face an average bill of £478 - an increase of 4.9%. |
| The increased bills will contribute to investment programme worth about £25bn between 2010 and 2015, the regulator added. | The increased bills will contribute to investment programme worth about £25bn between 2010 and 2015, the regulator added. |
| Those supplied by South West Water will see bills fall by 7.3% after the government pledged contributions to reduce each household's bill by £50. However, water and sewerage bills in the region remain the highest in the country, with households paying an average of £499. | Those supplied by South West Water will see bills fall by 7.3% after the government pledged contributions to reduce each household's bill by £50. However, water and sewerage bills in the region remain the highest in the country, with households paying an average of £499. |
| Last year, prices rose by 5.7%, owing to the higher level of inflation. | |
| What affect will this have on you? Send us your comments using the form below. | What affect will this have on you? Send us your comments using the form below. |