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Water bills to fall by 5% by 2020, Ofwat says Water bills to fall by 5% by 2020, Ofwat says
(about 1 hour later)
Household water bills in England and Wales will fall by an average of 5% - not including inflation - by 2020, the regulator Ofwat has ruled.Household water bills in England and Wales will fall by an average of 5% - not including inflation - by 2020, the regulator Ofwat has ruled.
This would see average bills fall by about £20 from £396 to £376. This would see average bills fall in real terms by about £20 from £396 to £376.
The regulator considered plans submitted by the 18 water and sewerage companies outlining proposed costs and prices. However, consumers will still pay more, as the companies are allowed to add on inflation, as measured by RPI.
Companies will invest more than £44bn in the next five years to improve services, Ofwat said. RPI is typically higher than CPI inflation, and is currently running at 2.3% a year.
Nevertheless the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) said it was good news for consumers.
"Most water companies and the regulator have listened to customers and delivered a deal which reflects the services they want, at a price most find acceptable," said Tom Smith, the chief executive of the CCW.
Customers 'get more'
After two years of deliberations, Ofwat has now determined the levels at which all 18 water and sewerage companies can set their prices for the five year period beginning in April 2015.
The three outstanding companies - Thames Water, United Utilities and Bristol Water - have now had their charges determined alongside the others.
Thames has been told it will have to cut charges by 5% in real terms, United Utilities must cut by 3%, and Bristol Water - a water only company- must cut charges by 21%.
Ofwat said the ruling will allow water companies to invest £44bn over the next five years, or £2,000 per household.
"With bills held down by 5% and service driven up over the next five years, customers will get more and pay less," said Cathryn Ross, Ofwat chief executive."With bills held down by 5% and service driven up over the next five years, customers will get more and pay less," said Cathryn Ross, Ofwat chief executive.
The new charges will come into effect in April 2015.
For water and sewage charges, Anglian customers will see the greatest percentage drop in yearly bills, down 10% to an average of £390 by 2019-20.For water and sewage charges, Anglian customers will see the greatest percentage drop in yearly bills, down 10% to an average of £390 by 2019-20.
Northumbrian customers will see the smallest change in their bills, dropping 1% to £382.Northumbrian customers will see the smallest change in their bills, dropping 1% to £382.
Severn Trent customers will have the cheapest yearly bills, at £316.
Companies have two months to accept Ofwat's decision, or seek a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority.Companies have two months to accept Ofwat's decision, or seek a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority.
The regulator based its decision on plans submitted by water companies in December last year.
Ofwat looked at how the firms planned to keep bills down and improve service levels.