Latest news with #ConsumerCouncilforWater
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty issues warning over 'pointless' annoying habit
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty was left reeling as she aired warning and shared a major pet peeve BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty couldn't contain her irritation discussing the recent spike in water bills, as she spoke out on what she perceives as unnecessary wastage. On the Saturday episode (July 12), Naga and fellow presenter Charlie Stayt welcomed Andy White from the Consumer Council for Water to chat about homeowners possibly switching to smart meters, with the promise that it could lead to significant financial advantages for some. The water guru impressed on audiences that households with more bedrooms than occupants could find themselves a bit richer by opting for a smart meter, though he cautioned that there's quite a backlog, and the transition wouldn't be immediate. While Andy was optimistic about the potential savings from exploring smart meter options with water providers, Naga shared her own opinion aimed at viewers who might be squandering water. Andy mentioned that some individuals were now taking shorter showers to cut costs on both water and electricity. This prompted Naga to interject with a robust piece of advice, reports the Express. She didn't mince her words, telling fans: "And don't leave the tap running when you're brushing your teeth," which Andy supported with a firm "Absolutely," as Naga further added: "It winds me up no end when people do that." "It's pointless," agreed Andy, to which Naga echoed: "Pointless," before expressing gratitude towards him for his insights. On the programme, the conversation shifted to dire warnings about "extreme wildfires in Scotland". Charlie introduced the topic: "An extreme wildfire warning is in place across Scotland as temperatures continue to soar this weekend." Naga elaborated on the situation: "The Scottish fire and rescue team is urging people to be cautious after tackling multiple incidents over the last few weeks." The presenter emphasised the need for extra caution in Scotland, adding: "Including large wildfires that burned over four days in the north of Scotland. No one was injured but a large area of countryside has been badly affected." Garry Mackay from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service appeared via video link to give a live update. He described the "unusual" conditions in Scotland, with high temperatures, strong winds, and no rain. He informed viewers about the "significant" wildfires his teams had recently battled in rural areas, which he said were a "drain on their resources" and posed a "challenge" for the firefighters. With the forecast predicting even hotter weather over the weekend, he called for the public and communities to remain alert and extremely careful with anything involving a "naked flame", including "cigarette ends and having open fires".
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
You could get £2k if you're failed by water firm - and you don't need to ask
In a further crackdown on under-fire water suppliers, new rules have kicked in that should provide faster payouts to customers when firms fail to deliver Water customers will automatically get compensation of up to £2,000 under new rules that have come into force in England. Pay-outs for anything from missed appointments or low water pressure through to severe flooding have been hiked as much as ten-fold. And whereas before those impacted needed to ask for the money, from now on no action will be needed, with eligible customers automatically having the funds credited back to their accounts. The standards, outlined in the Guaranteed Standards Scheme, set out a baseline for customer service in the water sector. They include providing timely restoration of water supplies following an interruption, responding to written complaints and managing the risk of sewer flooding. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'Too many water companies are letting down their customers - with leaking pipes, poor water supply and low water pressure. The Government is holding water companies to account by making them put money back into people's pockets when they fail their customers.' Officials are working with water companies to expand the list of circumstances that will trigger compensation payments. For now, the automatic compensation for an appointment not being made properly will double from £20 to £40, while for suppliers failing to turn up for an appointment it will jump from £20 to £50. If account queries aren't sorted quickly then customers could get £40 - up from £20 - while it is the same if suppliers drag their heels when being asked to change payment arrangements. On time can vary by customer but had to be no more than eight weeks. Where customers aren't given at least 48 hours notice of a planned supply interruption lasting more than four hours, compensation will rise to £50 for households and £100 for businesses. And households suffering consistently low water pressure will be automatically eligible to receive up to £250 – a huge uplift from the previous compensation rate of just £25. At the top end, severe issues such as flooding will see customer compensation double from £1,000 to up to £2,000. From October 1, the triggers for compensation will also be expanded. For example, water companies must read a customer's meter (excluding smart meters) at least once every 13 months. Failure to do so will mean a £40 payout. There are also payments if suppliers fail to install a water meter when requested, subject to some exceptions. Mike Keil, chief executive of customer watchdog the Consumer Council for Water, said: 'Customers expect to be treated fairly when their water company lets them down, so we're delighted the Government has moved at pace to strengthen service standards.' 'This should give people peace of mind they now have far stronger protection from a much broader range of water company service failures - from the slow installation of water meters to the mishandling of debt recovery. As well as bolstering payments for thousands of customers, these changes mark an important step towards restoring trust in the water sector which is at an all-time low.' David Black, chief executive of regulator Ofwat, said: 'We welcome these improvements to guaranteed standards and payments for customers. When customers suffer from problems like low pressure, disruptions to supply or sewer flooding they can experience major stress and inconvenience, and payment amounts must recognise the disruption to their lives when standards are not met. 'These new changes are another way to make sure customers are protected when companies get it wrong.' Water Minister Emma Hardy Our daily lives are punctuated by the flow of water coming out of our taps: tea breaks, bath time with our children, washing our hands. No one should have to worry about the quality or reliability of their water supply – but this is too often the case. Customers rightly expect value for money and good service for their utilities. It's no different when it comes to water. As Water Minister, I hear of people continually let down by water companies that leave serious complaints unanswered or miss appointments. At no time was this service failure more stark than last year, when the residents of Brixham, Devon went weeks without clean drinking water. The direct impact it had on people's health was immense, not to mention the disruption it caused to homes, schools and hospitals. I am clear this should not have happened, and cannot happen again, in any part of the country. Households must be sufficiently compensated when issues to their water supply arise – and that compensation must be paid for by their water company, not out of customer bills. That is why, from today, water companies will be forced to at least double the amount they pay back to customers when their service has failed, with many compensation rates going even further. This comes as part of our Plan for Change - we are acting to put money back into the pockets of hard working people as we work to deliver sustained growth and raise living standards across the UK. Through our improved Guaranteed Service Scheme, if you suffer continued low water pressure, you will now automatically be entitled to £250 – a tenfold increase on the previous £25. When appointments are not kept and account issues not resolved on time, customers will now be paid up to £50. When it comes to severe incidents like internal flooding from sewers, I recognise the impact this can have on day-to-day life and personal finances, which is why under the improved scheme, victims will receive up to £2,000 in compensation – a tenfold increase on what was available previously. Full responsibility for these payments will fall to the companies at fault. There will be no lengthy claim back processes as the money will automatically go back into eligible customers' pockets. In our first week in government, we promised to hold water companies to account when they fail in their duties to customers. By raising compensation payments to the highest level in history, we are delivering on that promise. This is another step in the government's mission to turn the tide on the failing water industry, putting people at the heart of company decisions and actions, and ensuring they deliver the services that we all pay for.
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Millions of household unable to get help with water bills due to unfair loophole
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of households are unable to get help with their water bills through a vital scheme due to a key loophole. WaterSure is a scheme which helps households on benefits, those who need to use a lot of water or have a certain number of school aged children with their water bills. 1 Millions of households cannot get help with their bills due to a key loophole Major suppliers including Thames Water, Severn Trent and Yorkshire Water are part of the scheme, which caps your bills based on the average metered bill for your area. To apply you need to have a water meter or be waiting to have one installed. The loophole could mean that millions of households are locked out of the support at a time when water bills have surged. The average annual water and wastewater bill increased by £123 in April, taking it from £480 to £603. The hike is equivalent to an increase of around £10 a month. But around 40% of households in England and Wales do not yet have a water meter, according to the Consumer Council for Water. Meanwhile, millions of homes are unable to get one installed due to a variety of reasons. This could be because there is more than one water supply to your home or your property is on a shared supply. Another reason could be because the pipework in your property is inaccessible, obstructed or in poor condition. Or your water company may not be able to find a good place to fit your water meter inside or outside your home. Plus, if you live in a flat and have communal facilities or a shared hot water supply then you may not be able to get a water meter. In some areas the number of people who can have a water meter installed may be even lower. Insiders have told The Sun that up to 70% of homes in London are unmeterable. This could mean millions of households are unable to access the Thames Water scheme, which caps wastewater and water services at £639 a year. What water bill support is available? IT'S always worth checking if you qualify for a discount or extra support to help pay your water bill. Over two million households who qualify to be on discounted social water tariffs aren't claiming the savings provided, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW). Only 1.3million households are currently issued with a social water tariff - up 19% from the previous year. And the average household qualifying for the discounted water rates can slash their bills by £160 a year. Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you're on a low income and the CCW is calling on customers to take advantage before bills rise in April. Who's eligible for help and the level of support offered varies depending on your water company. Most suppliers also have a pot of money to dish out to thousands of customers who are under pressure from rising costs - and you don't have to pay it back. These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds offering a vital lifeline when faced with daunting water bills. The exact amount you can get depends on where you live and your supplier, as well as your individual circumstances. Many billpayers across the country could also get help paying off water debts through a little-known scheme and even get the balance written off. Companies match the payments eligible customers make against the debt on their account to help clear it sooner. If you're on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme. Bills are capped at the average amount for your supplier, so the amount you could save will vary. The Consumer Council for Water estimates that bills are reduced by £307 on average through the scheme. Severn Trent Water customers also need to have a water meter before they can get help through the scheme. Customers must have three or more children under the age of 19 living with them and be receiving child benefit or have a medical condition that requires the extra use of water. If you meet the criteria your bills will be capped at the supplier's average yearly charge, which is £555.89. Yorkshire Water also requires you to have a water meter in order to access support through the WaterSure scheme. To be eligible to have your bill capped someone in your household must receive a benefit or tax credit. They also need to receive child benefit for three or more children under the age of 19 or someone in your household must have a medical condition that uses a lot of water. Abdi Mohamed, from disability equality charity Scope, said: 'Many disabled people have no choice but to use more water, whether they have a water meter or not. 'All water companies should provide fully accessible customer services to ensure disabled people can access support. "Consumers cannot choose their water supplier, and more needs to be done to ensure consistency and fairness for all disabled people. 'For many, there's no escaping high water bills and water companies need to recognise the extra costs of all of their disabled customers.' What can I do if I am not eligible for the scheme? Social tariffs Anyone who is worried about their water bill should contact their water supplier for help. A spokesperson for the Consumer Council for Water said: 'Water companies have a broad range of schemes which can help people who are struggling with their bill. 'More than 1.6 million low-income households are currently receiving cheaper bills through water companies' social tariffs.' Companies including Affinity Water, Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water and Wessex Water all offer these tariffs. For example, the SES Water Support scheme will give you a 50% discount on your annual water bill. To be eligible your annual income must be less than £19,995 if you live outside of London. If you live in London then you must earn less than £25,207 to be eligible. Or Wessex Water's Assist scheme will give you a discount of up to 90% on your bill if you are struggling to pay. You do not need to receive benefits to apply. Meanwhile, low income households who are considered to be in financial difficulty can get help through its Assist scheme. The low rate tariff will be calculated based on their ability to pay, with discounts off the average annual household bill. The support on offer and criteria to apply vary depending on your supplier but on average you can save around £160 a year. Payment breaks Your water company may also be able to offer you a Payment break if you temporarily need to reduce or stop your payments for a limited time. At United Utilities you can delay your water bill payment for a set period of time, which is agreed in advance. When you are ready to start paying your bill again you can spread the delayed payments over a longer period to help you catch up and not fall into debt. The scheme is available to customers with a combined annual household income of below £21,000 and who receive certain means-tested benefits. You may also be eligible to apply if you have experienced a significant life event, such as losing your job or death in the family. Meanwhile, South Staffs Water will let you take a payment break of up to three months. Your eligibility is assessed when you apply and you can only apply for one break a year. Hardship fund Some water companies also offer a hardship fund if you fall behind on your water bill and owe more than a certain amount. At Thames Water you can apply for the Customer Assistance Fund if you owe the supplier more than £120 and receive certain means-tested benefits. The supplier will work with you to agree on an affordable monthly payment. This will be based on your income and outgoings and the plan will stay in place for two years. The payment will cover your current charges and paying towards your debt. It will not impact your credit score. Meanwhile, at United Utilities you can apply for help online if you are unable to pay your bill. You can get help with water and or sewer charges and in certain circumstances you may be able to get white goods and beds. Only one item is available per applicant. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
ITV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ITV News
North West water supplier's profit doubles as customers see bill hikes
A water firm's profit more than doubled in 2024 before it hit customers with a steep rise in bills in April. United Utilities ' more than seven million customers across the North West are seeing their water bills rise by an average of 32% over the next five years. But the biggest annual rise came in April this year, when bills surged by an average of £86 for a typical household. The increase is designed to fund £13.7 billion of upgrades to its pipes and sewers, after the company was accused of illegally pumping raw sewage into Lake Windermere in recent years. But for the year ending 31 March, as it geared up to charge customers more, United Utilities' pre-tax profits also more than doubled to £355 million. And it said on Thursday that it will increase its dividend payout to investors by 4.2% to 34.6p. Chief executive Louise Beardmore said: 'We have delivered another strong set of results for customers, communities and the environment in the North West.' She pointed to the company cutting sewage spills per storm overflow by a quarter last year. The company was recently accused of failing to report more than 100 million litres of untreated sewage that it illegally dumped into Windermere over a three-year period. Ms Beardmore told MPs in February that United Utilities' record on spills and flooding 'isn't good enough'. She took home a pay packet of £1.4 million last year, made up of a base salary worth £690,000, plus benefits, bonuses and long-term share awards. The UK's privatised water companies have faced growing public outrage over the extent of pollution, rising bills, high dividends, and executive pay and bonuses. The results come after a survey revealed households' trust in water companies has fallen to a new low amid the crisis. Fewer households – 53%, down 2% on last year to another all-time low – believe the amount water companies charge is fair, according to the Consumer Council for Water's (CCW) annual Water Matters study.
Rhyl Journal
15-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
North West water supplier's profit doubles as it hikes customer bills
The company's more than seven million customers across the North West are seeing their water bills rise by an average of 32% over the next five years. But the biggest annual rise came in April this year, when bills surged by an average of £86 for a typical household. The increase is designed to fund £13.7 billion of upgrades to its pipes and sewers, after the company was accused of illegally pumping raw sewage into Lake Windermere in recent years. But for the year ending March 31, as it geared up to charge customers more, United Utilities' pre-tax profits also more than doubled to £355 million. And it said on Thursday that it will increase its dividend payout to investors by 4.2% to 34.6p. Chief executive Louise Beardmore said: 'We have delivered another strong set of results for customers, communities and the environment in the North West.' She pointed to the company cutting sewage spills per storm overflow by a quarter last year. The company was recently accused of failing to report more than 100 million litres of untreated sewage that it illegally dumped into Windermere over a three-year period. Ms Beardmore told MPs in February that United Utilities' record on spills and flooding 'isn't good enough'. She took home a pay packet of £1.4 million last year, made up of a base salary worth £690,000, plus benefits, bonuses and long-term share awards. The UK's privatised water companies have faced growing public outrage over the extent of pollution, rising bills, high dividends, and executive pay and bonuses. The results come after a survey revealed households' trust in water companies has fallen to a new low amid the crisis. Fewer households – 53%, down 2% on last year to another all-time low – believe the amount water companies charge is fair, according to the Consumer Council for Water's (CCW) annual Water Matters study.
