Millions face jump in water bills after watchdog's ruling

Millions of households face higher water bills after five utility companies were provisionally granted permission to increase charges beyond initial regulatory limits.

- JOSIE CLARKE

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed that, after an appeal, independent experts have allowed Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South East Water, Southern Water, and Wessex Water to raise their tariffs. The firms had argued that Ofwat's original decision would prevent them from meeting essential regulatory obligations.

Consequently, Anglian and Northumbrian Water can now increase bills by an additional 1 per cent, Southern Water by 3 per cent, South East Water by 4 per cent, and Wessex Water by 5 per cent. Southern Water had already secured a 53 per cent average bill hike over the next five years, yet still sought a further 15 per cent increase.