Water bills rise, energy fall
Bills for water and sewage will increase by an average of seven per cent in England and Wales this year, according to Ofwat.The price increase will add an extra £20 to average annual household bills, taking them to £312 a year, with South West Water introducing the largest increase of 16 per cent, with bills averaging £650 a year.Chief executive of regulator Ofwat, Regina Finn, said: "We recognise that any bill increases are going to be unwelcome. But these increases are essential to ensure that customers continue to receive high quality, secure water and sewerage services both now and in the future."Meanwhile, gas and electricity prices are falling for most consumers, as British energy companies Powergen and Scottish and Southern Energy announce reductions to gas and electricity prices.Powergen is slashing gas prices by 16 per cent and electricity prices by five per cent following a fall in wholesale prices worldwide, while Scottish and Southern Energy is reducing the price of gas by 12 per cent and electricity by five per cent over the next month.British Gas and nPower have already significantly reduced prices and average bills could fall by almost £100 as a result of the reductions.Rising utility bills significantly above the UK's annual rate of inflation are causing increasing concern for consumers, particularly the elderly and those on low incomes.
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