Families have a right to be angry over a sharp rise in water bills, the Environment Secretary has said.
With regulator Ofwat set to announce a hike this week, Steve Reed said the funds will be used to “to repair the damage” of crumbling infrastructure and sewage pollution.
But he added: “This week the independent water regulator will announce water bill rises to repair the damage The public are right to be angry. Tory recklessness has caused untold damage.”
Draft plans published in July by Ofwat said it is expected to increase the average water bill by £19-a-year over the next five years – or £94 in total. It will take the average bill from around £441-per-year to around £535 in 2029-2030.
But it was reported on Sunday some water companies are pushing for a much higher rise of the 21% proposed by the regulator. A final decision will be announced on Thursday.
In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Reed said: “If you see cracks in the wall of your house and do nothing about it for years, the problem gets worse and you end up paying more. That’s what’s happened with our crumbling water and sewage system. Customers have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure.”
He also blamed the Conservatives for allowing water companies to “divert customers’ money to line the pockets of their executives and shareholders”.
Tom MacInnes, Director of Policy at Citizens Advice, added: “We know water firms need to fund investment, but many households will struggle to shoulder these price rises.
“Social tariffs for water – cheaper rates for those who need them – should be the safety net. The problem is there’s a postcode lottery for this support and our advisers report that people often don’t know about the tariffs, or face hurdles applying for them. With high bills likely here to stay, the government and suppliers must work together to get people the help they’re entitled to. ”
Anger over the expected bills hike comes as MPs gear up to vote on Monday on new beefed up regulations to fine water bosses whose firms pollute Britain’s rivers. The Water (Special Measures) Bill is expected to include the biggest increase in enforcement powers for the water industry regulators in a decade.