Water firms urged to curb prices
Water companies have been urged to reconsider price hikes by the Government. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson told Britain's biggest water companies that keeping bills affordable is "crucial".
Water firms urged to curb prices by Government
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has called on water companies to "look closely" at whether price increases are necessary and introduce special tariffs for hard-pressed households.
In a letter to suppliers, Mr Paterson said the firms should recognise the financial strain people are under.
The intervention came ahead of an Ofwat ruling expected later this week on an application from Thames Water to increase bills by £29 in 2014-15.
The regulator is expected to reject the application and has questioned the profits being made by firms.
It suggested its next Price Review could ease the upward pressure on bills by up to £750 million after 2015.
More top news
-
Joe Biden vows to fight racial inequality with economic agenda
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
-
Trump reverts to promoting unproven drug as coronavirus treatment
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
-
What the papers say – July 29
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.