Water bills to be hiked by 36% in major cost of living blow to UK households

Water suppliers will hike bills by over 36% over the next five years as Ofwat approves a plan to help "clean rivers and secure long-term drinking water supplies".

The regulator confirmed this morning that it would allow water suppliers to increase bills to address the "twin crisis" of pollution and water shortages. The average rise will be around 40% which is equivalent to an average extra of £31 per year - or an average of £150 over five years to an average of £597 by 2030. The increase is bigger than the 21% rise that Ofwat first proposed in July.

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