Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as government begins drawing up contingency plans for the collapse of Thames Water
- Thames Water boss steps down amid backlash over environmental record
- Jeremy Hunt to ask UK regulators to investigate firms exploiting price rises
Mike Keil, senior director at the Consumer Council for Water, has said there must be a ‘strong safety net’ to protect households who cannot afford higher water bills to fund investment in the industry.
With nearly a quarter of households struggling to pay their water bills during the cost of living crisis, Keil told The Times:
“Customers support the need for investment in enhancing the environment and the resilience of our water and sewerage services but we know that could lead to some substantial bill rises.
“Investment on the scale being proposed must come with a strong safety net to protect households that cannot afford their bill.”
“We are committed to ensuring robust protections are in place for vulnerable customers.
“The voluntary code of practice for prepayment meters enhanced protections, setting clear rules for when a prepayment meter is or isn’t acceptable, as well as new requirements around the installation of prepayment meters.
