Households water bills set to rise to over £800 a year to 'help new investments'
Households could be walloped with water bill hikes of up to 74% by the end of the decade, analysis shows.
Average bills in some area could surge to more than £800 a year, the Consumer Council for Water watchdog found. Water firms say increases are needed to help fund a £96billion programme of investment.
It comes amid fury over the privatised industry’s dire track record on pollution and leaks and price rises for April due to be announced in February. Firms are also loaded with a combined £60billion of debt. The CCW pored over business plans from big water and sewage companies and found average water and sewage bills at Southern Water could soar by 74% to £816 a year by 2030.
The company, which covers parts of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has been slammed over sewage. Local councillors accused the firm of a “tsunami of human waste polluting our sea water.” Its chief executive Lawrence Gosden got nearly £430,000 in pay and perks last year. The CCW said average annual bills at Thames Water could jump by 55% to £733 by 2029/30.
Chief executive Sarah Bentley, who quit in June, was paid £1.4million in the last financial year, and £2m the prior year. Bills at Severn Trent, another of the UK’s biggest suppliers, could surge 49% to £646 a year. CCW chief executive Mike Keil said: “Water companies made a commitment four years ago to end water poverty by 2030 and we expect them to keep that promise.”
From roast dinners to Greggs - how much favourite items could rise by explained
Gary Carter, of the GMB union, said: “It’s a disgrace. Higher bills will not mean more investment – the extra cash will just be used to service debt and line the pockets of fatcats.” Stuart Ledger, Southern Water’s chief financial officer, said: “Bill increases would be phased in over five years, with our more vulnerable customers getting discounts of up 45%.”
A Thames Water spokesman said: “We’re planning £18.7billion total expenditure, including record investment in our network and other assets.” A Severn Trent spokesman said: “We’re committed to keeping our bills low and affordable for everyone.”
Average water and sewage bills:
■ Anglian Water
2023/24 – £492
Estimate for 2029/30 - £678
Estimated rise between 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 28%
CEO - Peter Simpson, paid £1.4m .
■ Welsh Water
2023/24 - £499
Mum forced to turn off heating and stuff son's clothes with hot water bottles
Estimate for 2029/30 - £691
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 38%
CEO - Peter Perry, £792,000 pay & perks
■ Hafren
2023/24 - £372
Estimate for 2029/30 - £662
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 53%
Managing director - James Jesic, pay not disclosed
■ Northumbrian
2023/24 - £391
Estimate for 2029/30 - £579
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 36%
CEO - Heidi Mottram, £648,000 pay and perks in 2022.
■ Severn Trent
2023/24 - £419
Estimate for 2029/30 - £646
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 49%
CEO - Liv Garfield, £3.2m pay & perks
■ South West Water
2023/24 - £476
Estimate for 2029/30 - £720
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 32%
CEO - Susan Davy (boss of parent co Pennon) £543,000 pay & perks
■ Southern
2023/24 - £439
Estimate for 2029/30 - £816
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 74%
CEO - Lawrence Gosden, £427,000 pay and perks last year.
■ Thames Water
2023/24 - £465
Estimate for 2029/30 - £733
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 55%
CEO - Former CEO Sarah Bentley paid £1.4m in the last financial year
■ United Utilities
2023/24 - £443
Estimate for 2029/30 - £670
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 39%
CEO - Steve Mogford (retired March 2023) £2.3m pay and perks
■ Wessex
2023/24 - £504
Estimate for 2029/30 - £799
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 45%
CEO - Colin Skellett, £432,000 in pay and perks.
■ Yorkshire Water
2023/24 - £446
Estimate for 2029/30 - £701
Estimated rise 2024/25 - 2029/30 - 49%
CEO - Nicola Shaw, £718,000 pay and perks.
(All prices include estimated
impact of inflation)
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