Water bills in England and Wales to rise from April

theguardian.com:

Households can expect their water bills to rise to an average of almost £420 a year from April, compounding a record hike in energy costs and a jump in national insurance contributions which are due in the same month.

Bills will rise by 1.7% in England and Wales from April, according to the industry body Water UK, pushing the typical annual bill up by roughly £7 to £419 a year.

The increase will come as further unwelcome news to hard-pressed households after Thursday’s announcement of the imminent £693 increase in home energy bills, which will drive the cost of gas and electricity to an average of £1,977 a year and plunge millions of homes into fuel poverty.

Christine McGourty, chief executive of Water UK, said customers would pay “little more than £1 a day for their water and sewerage service” and there was “a wide range of support available for those in need”.

“But we know this is a difficult time for many, and no one should have to worry about their household essentials,” she added.

Jess Cook, who leads the water poverty programme for National Energy Action, a fuel poverty charity, said research had shown that more than 40% of those struggling to pay their water bills would bathe less to reduce their water bills. Almost a quarter would cut back on food or personal hygiene products in order to save money.

Although many households qualify for a social water tariff, which can save about £148 a year from the average bill, about five out of six customers who cannot afford their water bill are not receiving the financial support they need.

“Water is often overlooked when it comes to saving money but there are many ways to reduce your bill,” Water UK said. “These savings could help free up precious pounds to cover other rising