![Water bills to rise £94 on average over next five years](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720756225/articles/CdZmZs2Wa1720769499657/WATER-BILLS-TO-RISE-94-ON-AVERAGE-OVER-NEXT-FIVE-YEARS.jpg)
However, the increases vary by region, with Southern Water’s rising by £183, an increase of 44 per cent. Thames customers will see an increase of £99 or 23 per cent, and Anglian £66 or 13 per cent.
The regulator said water firms proposed increases averaging £144 over five years. For example, Thames Water’s proposed increase of £191 by 2030 has been reduced to £99, while Severn Trent’s proposed rise of £144 has been cut to £93.
The proposed bill increases come amid public fury around firms’ rampant polluting of waterways with sewage spills as they continue to hand dividends to shareholders, and bonuses to executives – something which Labour has pledged to clamp down on. Sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas more than doubled in 2023.
The environment secretary, Steve Reed, met yesterday with the bosses of 16 water firms to outline reforms aimed at ending the crisis in the sector. The firms all signed up to a package put forward by Mr Reed, including the government ensuring funding for investment in infrastructure is ringfenced so that it is only spent on upgrades that benefit customers and the environment.
Water companies will also be forced to amend their articles of association to place customers and the environment at the heart of their objectives. Mr Reed will also instruct Ofwat to give consumers more power, setting up “customer panels” through which they can summon water bosses to answer questions. And the government will more than double the amount of compensation those whose services are interrupted are eligible for.
This story is from the July 12, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 12, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
!['I didn't think I'd make it'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/x4eZeDeQG1726122253187/I-DIDNT-THINK-ID-MAKE-IT.jpg)
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
![England charge back after early Australian fireworks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/ED9yWaEBc1726122191579/ENGLAND-CHARGE-BACK-AFTER-EARLY-AUSTRALIAN-FIREWORKS.jpg)
England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
![Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/KyyHwe6MK1726122036635/REEVES-MUST-CUT-THE-GLOOM-TO-RETURN-THE-UK-TO-GROWTH.jpg)
Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
![Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/yb828pjQ41726122110507/STONES-OPENS-UP-ON-EUROS-HURT-AND-HARRYS-HUNDRED.jpg)
Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
![‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/VjUSLsxxY1726121857717/AGE-GAP-SCHMAGE-GAP-ITS-A-BIT-CRINGE-BUT-LOVE-IS-LOVE.jpg)
‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
![How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r5O_9AXQm1726120404856/HOW-FUNERAL-COST-ARCADE-FIRE-BLOOD-SWEAT-AND-TEARS.jpg)
How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
!['I realised he could kill me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r_sw6sZFE1726120065066/I-REALISED-HE-COULD-KILL-ME.jpg)
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
!['I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/RSNIBd7PM1726119958803/I-USE-MY-FUEL-ALLOWANCE-TO-GO-OUT-FOR-DINNER-AT-THE-IVY.jpg)
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
![Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/TnigoyL6V1726119855147/WHERES-A-WARM-WINTER-TRIP-OUTSIDE-THE-SCHENGEN-AREA.jpg)
Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
![The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/-EyElmB-K1726119647748/THE-THRILLING-TALE-OF-SIX-DAYS-THAT-CHANGED-BRITAIN-FOREVER.jpg)
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum